Galen Merrill Lee

Galen Merrill Lee, age 80, of Cokato, MN passed away Thursday, November 2, 2023, at the St. Cloud Hospital. A funeral service will be held on Tuesday, November 7, 2023, at 11:00 a.m. at the Evangelical Lutheran Church in Cokato with Rev. Timothy Wheatley officiating. The interment will be held at the Evangelical Lutheran Cemetery in Cokato. There will be a visitation one hour prior to the service on Tuesday, November 7, 2023, at the Evangelical Lutheran Church. The Johnson Funeral Home in Dassel is in charge of the funeral arrangements. Galen Merrill Lee was born on June 14, 1943, in Willmar, Minnesota to Samuel (Sam) and Mildred (Anderson) Lee. He grew up as a middle child with one older sister and one younger brother. Galen was baptized on August 22, 1943, at the First Lutheran Church in Renville and confirmed into his faith on May 25, 1958, at the Cokato Evangelical Lutheran Church in Cokato. He spent his early years in Prinsburg where he attended elementary school at District #103 in Prinsburg and when he was in eighth grade his family moved to Cokato. He graduated from Cokato High School on May 31, 1961. Galen enlisted into the military on August 6, 1964, and was discharged on July 22, 1966. Galen served in the United States Army and was stationed in Germany and worked as a Payroll Clerk. Upon being discharged from the Army, Galen lived in Minneapolis and attended Dunwoody College of Technology, where he received a degree as a Tool and Die maker under the GI bill. On March 1, 1968, Galen was united in marriage to Carol Olson at the Calvary Lutheran Church in Minneapolis. Together they made their home in Richfield before moving to Long Lake. In 1974, Galen and Carol moved to the family farm in Cokato. Galen had spent ten years working in various machine shops in the Twin Cities area. Then one day he came home and told his wife he had quit his job and was going to start working for her. Galen and his wife, Carol, owned and operated Budget Furniture in Cokato for 23 years. After retiring you could find Galen spending his time in his garage building Street Rod’s. 1935 Ford cars were his passion. Especially his 1935 Ford Cabriolet. Galen had won many awards with that car, including the Midwest National Street Rod of the Year. Galen would spend hours sanding on parts in the garage. When Galen was not in the garage, he would be doing projects around the farm. Galen had a special talent of being able to fix and build anything. Galen was a humble and caring man who loved his family with his whole heart. His wife Carol, children, and grandchildren were the love of his life. He always had time to spend with his grandchildren from going to school and sporting events to going to swap meets to sell car parts and the grandchildren selling pop and candy. Galen was always willing to help his family with projects. It could be a road trip to Missouri to pick up a vehicle, cutting down trees in the yard or home renovation, Galen wanted to be a part of the project. He enjoyed spending time at the summer cabin on Lake Sylvia when the children were young. He was a member of the Sportsman Club where he enjoyed trapshooting. He loved to spend time hunting deer, ducks, and geese. He especially enjoyed going on hunting trips to North Dakota. He could often be found engaging with his grandchildren, by having a good conversation or just by snuggling on the couch. Galen will be missed by his family and his friends. He is survived by his wife, Carol Lee of Cokato, daughters, Laurie (Brandon) Johnson of Sartell, and Carrie (Myron) Klinkner of Loretto, four grandchildren, John Klinkner, Sarah Klinkner, Emma Johnson and Lindsey Johnson, siblings, Geralyn LeMon of Minneapolis, and Sharel Lee of Dassel. He was preceded in death by his parents, Samuel, and Mildred Lee.

Galen Merrill Lee

June 14, 1943 - November 2, 2023