Gerald "Jerry" Dean Lee

Gerald “Jerry” Lee, 83, of Manchester, Iowa, passed away on Saturday, March 16, 2024, at his home in rural Manchester.

Jerry was born at home in rural Masonville, the son of Harold and Bertha (Reimer) Lee. He received his education at Dundee, graduating from Manchester High School with the class of 1960. 

On July 22, 1977, Jerry was united in marriage to Susan (Billhorn) McDowell in Manchester.  Jerry was a lifelong farmer, woodworker, and fisherman. He enjoyed watching his crops grow.

Jerry was a longtime Coffins Grove Township Trustee and was awarded the Manchester Jaycees outstanding Young Farmer in 1974, as well as the 1983 Highest Yield Producer for Northrup King Soybeans. Jerry truly enjoyed visiting others and never met a stranger. Most of all, Jerry loved spending time with his family.

Survivors include his wife of 46 years, Susan Lee of Manchester; their son, Kelly (Jen) McDowell of Manchester; three grandchildren, Alec (Jana) McDowell, Emma McDowell, and Elizabeth McDowell; three step-grandchildren, Kaela, Kylie, and Lukas Chesnut; two brothers, James Lee of Oklahoma, and Robert Lee of Colorado; two brothers-in-law, Steve Billhorn of Manchester, and Alan Billhorn of Des Moines.

Jerry was preceded in death by his parents; his in-laws, Victor and Eileen Billhorn; a sister, Lois Murray; a brother, Bill Lee, two brothers-in-law, Lance Billhorn, and John Billhorn; and two sisters-in-law, Marjean Billhorn and Wilma Billhorn.

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