Marilyn Storbakken Lee

WESTBY Okemos, MI Marilyn Jeanette (Storbakken) Lee, 85, of Okemos, MI and formerly of Westby, WI passed away Sunday, June 18, 2017, rather suddenly from leukemia. Born to William and Tena (Olson) Storbakken in Vernon County, she lived in Westby in her childhood, and later graduated from Central High School in LaCrosse, WI. Later, she graduated from the University of Wisconsins nursing program, and went on to earn her Bachelor's degree in Science from the University of Michigan, where she met her future husband, Hans E. Lee. Following her graduation from U.M., she began her nursing career in Michigan. Hans and Marilyn were married June 21st, 1956. When Hans was offered a teaching position at Michigan State University, they settled in Okemos, MI., and Marilyn began her long career at the Livingston County Health Department supervising family health, vaccination and well-child programs. Although Marilyn lived in Michigan for over forty years, she always thought of Westby and the surrounding area as her hometown. Marilyn was an energetic, generous woman with a wonderful artistic sensibility. She was an avid reader, community organizer, and gardener. A member of several gardening clubs as well as the Audubon Society, Marilyn maintained several causes, including the Blue Star Memorial in Lansing, and several Michigan native plant sanctuaries. Besides native plants, Marilyn was also an accomplished orchid grower and judge. Her orchid interests took her all over the world, to both study orchids in their native habitat and to judge at orchid shows. She will be deeply missed by her husband, Hans Lee, her children, daughter Pauline Lee (Mitch) Adelman and son Paul H. Lee; her sister Joanne (Storbakken) Hultstrand of Boise, ID, and brother Robert Storbakken of Chaseburg, WI.; seven grandchildren; and many nieces, nephews, and cousins. Marilyn was preceded in death by her parents, William and Tena (Olson) Storbakken; her brothers Paul, Wallace, Maurice, George & David Storbakken, and her sister Inez (Storbakken) Winters. A brief memorial service for family and friends will be held at 11 a.m. Saturday, July 29th, at the Westby Methodist Church, Pastor Jim Aniol will officiate, followed by the interment of her ashes in the churchs cemetery. In lieu of flowers, Marilyn asked that people donate blood to the Red Cross, and/or time to their local community organizations. Online condolences may be offered at www.vossfh.com The Vosseteig Funeral Home 708 S. Main St. in Westby is serving the family.