Shirley Lee
Our beloved Shirley Jean (Abbrah) Lee, 82, peacefully passed away August 8, 2021, at Good Samaritan Nursing Home in Holstein, IA.
Abbrah has been cremated. The family will have a private gathering and scatter her ashes at the headwaters of the Mississippi River.
Abbrah lived a fulfilling life, filled with loving family and friends and completed her remarkable journey.
The eldest of four children, Abbrah was born to Harold W. Schultz and Lillian C. Weishalla on March 31, 1939, in Bertha. In 1944, the Schultz family moved from Bertha to Wadena, then to Valley City in 1949. In 1957, Abbrah graduated from St. Catherine’s High School. After high school, she attended Mercy School of Nursing at Devils Lake, ND, graduating as an RN in 1960. From 1960 to 1971, she worked as an RN at Mercy Hospital in Valley City. In 1962, Abbrah married David Jerome Lee of Norma Township, ND. David worked as an electric utility lineman for Cass County Electric in Valley City. Over seven years, David and Abbrah had three daughters and two sons.The family moved to Linton, ND in 1971 and Primghar, IA in 1973. Abbrah and David divorced in 1976. She and the five children moved to Morris. After 20 years as a hospital RN, Abbrah worked as a chiropractic assistant and World Book encyclopedia salesperson. She also was an RN for disabled youth summer camps in Minnesota and Forida and specialized in Touch for Health Kinesiology. Abbrah formally retired from the healthcare industry in 2004 and was a snowbird in Arizona. Since 2009, she enjoyed retirement in Spirit Lake, IA, near her two eldest daughters. Abbrah deeply believed in nursing, alternative healthcare and education her entire life. She was very progressive in many aspects of her life, though she was well grounded in traditional thought and activities. She was an avid reader, cook, baker, seamstress, knitter, astrologist and theologian. Caring and thoughtful, Abbrah helped people no matter the situation, supporting many close friendships in many places with people from all “walks of life”.
Abbrah is survived by five children: Catharine E. Lyman of Sanborn, IA, Karen J. Lee of Sioux Falls, SD, Connie F. Smallarz-Lee of Fargo, ND, David J. Lee of Portland, OR and Darrin J. Lee of Spokane, WA; two sisters, Lois M. Young of Luverne, Janet E. Schultz of Valley City, ND; one brother, Leroy D. Schultz of Hardin, MT; 11 grandchildren and 16 great-grandchildren.
She is preceded in death by her parents.
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