Watch Violet's Service Here

Violet Lee, age 81, of Gary, MN, passed away on Saturday, March 29, 2025, at Benedictine Care Community of Ada in Ada, MN.

Violet Lucille, the daughter of Harold and Mildred (Hall) Tunks was born on July 16, 1943. She spent her early years in the Ada, MN area growing up alongside her three sisters. On October 21, 1961, she was united in marriage to Dean Lee at Green Meadow Church, rural Ada.  The couple first lived in Twin Valley, MN before moving to Gary, where they made their forever home. Over the years, they were blessed with four children, Brenda, Roger, Angie, and Robert. During the years she spent raising her family, Violet and Dean owned and operated the Last Chance Pool Hall in Gary and Violet also worked at the Pembina Restaurant in Mahnomen, MN. In 1994, she began her career at the Shooting Star Casino, in Mahnomen.  Violet retired after nearly 20 years of employment at the Casino, working primarily in security.

Violet was a member of Gary Lutheran Church, where in her younger years, she taught Sunday school and served with the ladies' aide. In her free time, Violet loved to bowl. She was a proud member of the Guys & Dolls bowling team, plus various other leagues, and spent many hours bowling on Monday nights and Women's Wednesday. She also enjoyed traveling to tournaments with her friends and teammates.  Another of her favorite pastimes was Bingo and she was a familiar face at all the Gary Legion Bingo events. She looked forward to these nights, especially those spent with her son Roger, a tradition that continued until just recently. She was also well known for late night poker games, smoking & drinking her Pepsi.  For years, Violet was the Avon Lady for Gary and the surrounding area and took great joy in visiting with her customers. A devoted fan of Minnesota sports, Violet never missed a chance to watch the Minnesota Twins and Vikings whenever possible. Despite enduring unimaginable heartbreak with the loss of two of her children, Robert in 2000 and Brenda in 2012, as well as her husband Dean in 2017, Violet remained a steadfast source of strength for her family. She was the perfect balance of tough and tender, loving her family fiercely and unconditionally.

Violet is survived by; two children: Roger (Dawn) Lee of Gary, and Angie (Mark) Dueck of Twin Valley; eleven grandchildren: Christopher (Leah), Brian (Alissa), Andrew (Lynn), Mathew, Jennifer, Jessica, CaitLynn, Ashlynn (Garret), Wyatt, and Jazlin; great grandchildren: Skyler, Josh, Trista, Ayven, Ayden, and Railyn; two sisters, Clarice Lisberg of Fertile, MN and Shirley (Ronnie) Sell of Casselton, ND; and several nieces and nephews.

She was preceded in death by her parents; her husband, Dean; her son, Robert; her daughter, Brenda Rude; son-in-law, Kevin Rude; two grandsons, Jason and Adam; and one sister, Phyllys Gunkle.

Visitation will be on Tuesday, April 8, 2025, at the Anderson Family Funeral Home in Twin Valley, MN from 5:00 pm until 7:00 pm, with a Prayer Services beginning at 6:30 pm, and will continue one hour before the service on Wednesday.  Memorial Service will be held at 11:00 am on Wednesday, April 9, 2025, at Gary Lutheran Church in Gary.