Jack Lee

Jack Martin Lee, a beloved father, grandfather, great grandfather and friend, passed away on February 12, 2025 at the age of 79. Jack was born on October 1, 1945 in Amery, WI.

Jack attended school in Star Prairie, WI until the 8th grade. The family relocated to Captive Island, Florida for his Father’s job and Jack spent his freshman year at Fort Meyers High School before moving back to Wisconsin. Jack attended Amery high school his sophomore year and moved back to Star Prairie for his junior and senior year.

During his earlier years in Star Prairie, Jack and his partner in crime, Stuart Utgaard would often find themselves in many questionable predicaments. They managed to keep many of their adventures secret throughout their lifelong friendship.

Jack had a kind heart filled with love and many passions. His first great love was his family. Jack loved to spend time with his grandkids and great grandkids whenever he could. When he wasn’t with them, he was boasting about them to anyone who would listen. They were his pride and joy!

Jack was a natural born salesman with the gift of gab. His persuasiveness led to a successful career exceeding in sales as part owner of Heritage MillWork until his retirement. After he retired, Jack turned that passion in the lumber business into a lifelong hobby of woodworking. He was always making special gifts for family and friends. Most popular were his stepstools, side tables and his infamous toilet paper holders. If you were someone very special to Jack, you might get a custom, intricate piece of furniture.

Jack loved sports of all kinds, including hunting, fishing, and golf. Anything that would have him in the outdoors and spending time with family and friends. He especially loved classic cars and going to car shows. Jack often submitted his rare 1965 cherry red Amphicar into these shows and was very excited to talk to anyone about its unique history. This is where his gift of gab came in very handy! He also loved to take it out on the St. Croix River and show it off on a sunny summer day and wave to all of those surprised to see a car floating down the river.

An avid traveler, Jack was always on the go. Jack and his travel partner of almost 20 years, Susan, were always looking for new adventures and meeting new friends. They traveled across the country to 45 out of 50 states in the US, many times in his RV. They also traveled to many wonderful destinations in Europe and Asia. Being a proud member of the National Guard, Jack was a history buff and incorporated travel to learn more about the military. One of Jack and Susan’s most memorable travels was retracing some of the steps of our boys of World War II traveling from the beaches of Normandy to Germany to Poland including Auschwitz. After Auschwitz, they continued their travels to Austria, where “The Hills are Alive with the Sound of Music”. Although Jack met many new friends in his worldwide travels, he very much loved and enjoyed his steady friendships back home where he could go fishing, golf, play cards, and have coffee with the guys.

If you were ever a visitor to Jacks home, you knew that he enjoyed the wildlife that passed through his yard. Deer and turkeys were abundant and always fun to watch when having morning coffee. Jack so enjoyed animals, but his heart was taken by his beloved pets. He loved his black labs Buck and Duke. Jack also had many special kitties that he loved dearly. They all had wonderful lives with Jack and now reside in the “Pet Cemetery” at Jacks home. However, Jacks true love is his precious kitty “Taz”, short for Tasmanian Devil. Taz ruled the roost and was Jacks shadow. She would follow him around the house looking for a treat. The minute he sat down, she would jump in his lap. If he was out of town, he would want constant updates on how she was doing. Taz will now be spending her days with Susan as Jack wanted.

Jack leaves behind a legacy of love and warmth that will forever be treasured by all who knew him, and he will be deeply missed. Let’s honor Jack by cherishing your loved ones and holding them dear in our hearts and remembering “Forgiveness is not weak. It takes courage to face and overcome powerful emotions.” – Desmond Tutu

Jack was preceded in death by his parents Harry and Lucille (Dell) Lee, his dear brother Arvid and sister, Arlene Rugo. Jack is survived by his sons, Troy (Erica) Lee and Jeremy Lee (Tracy Derung), his sister, Judy (Dick) Feuerpfeil, brother in law, Tom Rugo, his good friend and travel partner, Susan, grandchildren, Rachael (Parker) LeMire, Joshua (Emma) Lee, Tyler (Tia) Lee, Alyssa Lee, great-grandchildren, Zachary and Zoey Lee, Oliver and Olivia LeMire, and beloved nieces, friends and his dear kitty Taz.

A visitation and funeral gathering will be held on Saturday, March 1st, from 11:00am-1:00pm at O’Connell Funeral Home, 520 S. 11th St. Hudson, WI. Per Jacks wishes, a Celebration of Life will be held at The Friendly Bar in Star Prairie from 1:00pm-4:00pm, with free beer, soda and a buffet. In Jacks memory, he would like all donations be directed to The American Heart Association.