Kenneth Lee

Kenneth 'Bucky' Floyd Lee was born March 27, 1928 in Midway Township, Cottonwood County, the son of William and Fannie (Becker) Lee. Following his graduation from Springfield High School in 1948, he worked for Bassie Wagner at Springfield Lanes, at Vigorena Feeds, and as a painter for Miesen Color Center. Bucky was united in marriage to Rose Kirschstein in 1953 at the United Methodist Church in Springfield and they resided in Springfield all 51 years of their married life. In 1969 a lifelong dream came true when Bucky purchased Springfield Lanes and he operated that business until 1980. He then entered a painting partnership with Denton Kohlhof known as Kohlhof Lee Painting until becoming self-employed as a painter in 1986 and painting many houses in Springfield. Bucky resumed ownership of Springfield Lanes in 1987 and continued its operation until 1992. He enjoyed promoting the Junior Bowling program and tournament bowling, teaching young people to bowl and was inducted into the Springfield Bowling Hall of Fame. Bucky was also caretaker of Halter Apts., Cedar Manor Apts., Halter Bluff Apts., and Riverview Homestead Apts. and enjoyed visiting and taking care of the needs of all the people in the apartments. He was a longtime member of the Springfield UMC and served on many church committees. Bucky was also a past member of the Rotary Club, the Springfield Golf Club, served as president of the Southwest District Bowling Alley Proprietor Assoc., held many bowling offices, and participated in the Springfield Nativitiy Pageant for 8 years. He enjoyed bowling, fishing, hunting, camping, drawing, art work and singing. Kenneth 'Bucky' Lee died Monday, October 18, 2004 at St. John Lutheran Home in Springfield where he had resided since November 5, 2003. Following a courageous battle with lung cancer, he died at the age of 76 years. Survivors include wife- Rose of Springfield; daughter- Barb and husband Duane Tomschin of Springfield; brother- Clyde Lee of Perham, MN; sisters- Louise Wollin of Waterloo, IA, and Lorraine Allen of Black River Falls, WI; and several nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by his parents; parents-in-law- Alfred and Gertie Kirschstein; brother- Charles Lee; sisters- Ida Wales and Marjorie Lyle; brothers-in-law- Marvin Wollin, Jim Allen and Grover Lyle; and sister-in-law- Irene Lee.