April 4, 1936 — March 15, 2017
A memorial service for Lee Kirchgatter was held at 1 p.m. on Sunday, March 19, 2017, at First Lutheran Church, Algona with Pastor Phil Olson and the Rev. Norman Bauer officiating. Visitation was held one hour prior to the service, also at the church. Inurnment was held in the Newburg Township Cemetery.
Lee Kirchgatter the son of Emil and Mabel (Gillerman) Kirchgatter, was born April 4, 1936, in Osage. Lee attended school in the Carpenter area, graduating from Carpenter High School. Following his education, he was employed as a gravel truck operator for Falks Quarry. Lee was then drafted into the U. S. Army in 1959 and was honorably discharged in 1961. He then found work as a Lineman for R.E.C. in St. Ansgar. After some time there, Lee decided to own and operate his own Bar/Restaurant which he called Lee’s Lounge in Carpenter.
Lee was a person who never stood still. Following his time running the Lounge and being known for his love of the outdoors and landscaping, he started a career as a golf course superintendent. His first superintendent job was in Cresco. Lee also was the superintendent of the Bemidji Country Club, Bemidji, Minn. Lee also owned the Sun Bay Travel Trailer Resort in Walker, Minn. The highlight of his golf course career was being personally asked to help design and oversee the construction of the Longbow Golf Course, Walker, which was built from scratch out of the Minnesota forest land. He truly had a green thumb, compiling a love of landscaping and flowers. He also arranged various gardens for friends and family.
For 32 years Lee was a referee and umpire and was one of the first referees at a Corwith Volleyball game. Lee also loved all types of sports, but was primarily a Twins, Vikings and Hawkeye Fan. Because of his passion for the Twins, Lee later retired and wintered in Fort Meyers Beach, Fla., where their training camp is held.
Lee’s hobbies included fishing, making jewelry, card tricks and card games, entertaining family and friends, making Mahogany Nut pieces and making crosses and ornaments out of seashells.
On Feb. 7, 2013, Lee married Kathy Jansen, at The Villages, Fla.
Leland E. Kirchgatter, of Algona, died Wednesday, March 15, 2017 at the Kossuth Regional Health Center, Hospice of the Heartland Butterfly room. He was 80 years old.
Lee is survived by his wife, Kathy Jansen; sons, Scott (Mona) Kirchgatter of Anthon, and Mark Kirchgatter of Grafton; grandchildren, Allison and Megan Kirchgatter; sister, Shirley (Jim) Brock; nieces and nephews, Jeff Brock, Greg (Nicole) Brock, Mike (Kelly) Brock and Lisa Brock, as well as other family and friends.
He was preceded in death by his parents, wife, Barb; brother, Don Kirchgatter.
Oakcrest Funeral Services, 515-295-3731, www.oakcrestfuneralservices.com