Paul "John" Lee of Madrid, Nebraska, passed away on June 13, 2024, at the Chase County Hospital in Imperial Nebraska at 97 years of life well lived. John was born on November 14, 1926, in Perkins County, Nebraska, to Rue and Della (Costin) Lee, Jr. He was the 5th born of 6 children. John attended Madrid High School and graduated from The Nebraska School of Agriculture in Curtis in 1945.
John was a devoted husband to Erna Rae Erlewine, whom he married on November 21, 1951, in Madrid. Their union was blessed with four children: Teresa, Doug, Bryan, and Jay. John and Erna made their home south of Madrid where they farmed and raised livestock including cattle and hogs. John was a faithful Christian man who was a member of the Madrid United Methodist Church. It was his deep love for the land that he continued to farm and ranch in Perkins County for the remainder of this life.
John was never one to shy away from hard work. He also had a special charism for ensuring that everyone towed the line...his way. John was known for many things especially being extremely frugal and his one of a kind, bigger-than-life personality. He held the patent on shrewdness and dispensed quotable one-liners with great reliability almost anytime he wandered around in public. He was a man of many talents, but his ability to connect with people was exceptional. John outlived many of his family members and friends, however, his ability to connect with others made him countless friends spanning through the generations. Some of these strong friendships were with others up to 50 or more years younger. It is no doubt John's legend will live on.
John had a great love for family especially his wife, children, and his many grand and great-grandchildren. He was especially proud to see all his grandchildren graduate and get married. He loved kids of all ages and always seemed to develop a special bond with those who grew up around the farm even treating the hired men's kids like they were his own grandkids. John often went out of his way to give the kids a piece of candy, riding his lawn mower to where the kids would be waiting. John himself had a sweet tooth, especially when it came to ice cream, chocolate and desserts.
Much like the life of a Farmer, life is gamble, and John loved a good trip to the casino. He was always on the lookout for Aces, loved slot machine tournaments and the excitement of a craps table. If you were lucky enough to make a trip to Vegas with John, it most certainly is a fond memory.
John truly was a one-of-one. Always full of stories, some true and others exaggerated, but all of them enjoyable. A run-in with John always meant a smile, one that typically held on for a lot longer than just the conversation. He was good-hearted, endearing, hilarious, legendary, devious and sometimes a little "grouchy."
John Lee leaves behind a tremendous legacy. One that fills hearts of many generations of family and friends with laughter, joy, and countless memories. Rest easy, John, your work here is done. Don't worry... "we'll close the gate."
John is preceded in death by his parents, beloved wife, Erna Rae; son, Doug Lee; and grandson, Matthew Lee; brothers, Robert and Francis Lee; sisters, Katherine Coleman, Mary Nutt, and Dorothy Otten.
John is survived by his children, Teresa (Ricky) Nowak of Bennington, Bryan (Chris) Lee of North Platte, and Jay (Dana) Lee of Madrid; daughter-in-law Penny Lee of Grant; 14 grandchildren, 28 great-grandchildren, 1 great-great grandchild along with many other relatives and friends.
Memorials are suggested to the Madrid Cemetery or the Perkins County Senior Center in memory of John. Condolences may be shared at bullocklongfuneralhome.com
Services will be held on Wednesday, June 19, 2024, at 10:30 am at the Grant United Methodist Church. Interment will be in the Madrid Cemetery.
Visitation will be on Tuesday, from 5 pm until 8 pm at the Bullock-Long Funeral Home in Grant.
Bullock-Long Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements.