Darwin R. Lee, 78, of St. Paul, died on Friday, October 20, 2023, at CHI Health—St. Francis in Grand Island, surrounded by his loving family.

Memorial services were held on Wednesday, October 25, 2023 at the United Methodist Church in St. Paul. Reverend Susan Murithi officiated. Tom Knutson was the eulogist. DeEtte Lukasiewicz was the pianist. J.T. Wetherington was the soloist. The solo selection was “Amazing Grace (My Chains Are Gone).” Congregational hymns included “Hymn of Promise,” and “Nearer, My God, to Thee.”

Inurnment was at the Evergreen Cemetery in Loup City, where Reverend Spenser Johnson officiated. Honorary bearers included Ryan Shirley, Kristina Shirley, Jordyn Lukasiewicz, Jared Lukasiewics, Sydney Hall, Avery Lukasiewics, Joseph Lukasiewicz, Cooper Lee, and Layton Lee.

In lieu of flowers and plants, the family suggests memorials be given to the United Methodist Church, Nebraska Cancer Specialists, or to Grand Island Central Catholic.

Peters Funeral Home of St. Paul is assisting the family.

Darwin was born on May 19, 1945, at Loup City, the son of Darr L. and Donna A. (Knapp) Lee. He grew up in Loup City, where he received his education, graduating from Loup City High School in 1963.

He then attended the Milford Trade School, which is now known as Southeast Community College, receiving an Associate Degree in construction.

He was united in marriage to Rae Lea Moeller on August 26, 1965 in Loup City.

The couple lived their entire married life and raised their three children in St. Paul. Darwin’s first job out of college was for John McClellan in St. Paul. He later started Lee’s Masonry and Construction.

In 1982, he went to work at Farwell Irrigation District, where he worked his way up to Project Manager, retiring in 2008. Upon his retirement, he returned to his great passion, cabinetry, owning and operating “Lee Cabinets” until his health would no longer allow him.

He served on the board of directors for the Loup Basin Reclamation District for the past eight years. He was a member of the St. Paul United Methodist Church. He was also a longtime member of the St. Paul Country Club and the Loup City Country

The Phonograph-Herald | November 1, 2023

Club.

Needless to say, Darwin loved golfing, attending high school sporting events, playing cribbage, and family time, especially anything involving his grandchildren.

He is survived by his children, Cheri and Cary DeMoss of Des Moines, Iowa, Tracey and Philip Lukasiewicz of Farwell, and Brian Lee of Grand Island; seven grandchildren, Ryan Shirley, Kristina Shirley, Jordyn Lukasiewicz, Jared Lukasiewicz and Sydney Hall, and Joseph Lukasiewicz, Cooper Lee and Layton Lee; one great granddaughter, Avery Lukasiewicz; brother-in-law, Mike and Deb Moeller of Loup City; and sister-in-law, Nancy and Donald Smith of Loup City.

He was preceded in death by his parents; his wife, Rae Lea on April 12, 2020; a son-in-law, Pat Mudloff; his in-laws, Keith and Doris Moeller; and his brother-in-law, Alan Moeller.