Lee Gass age 78 of Apple Valley, Minnesota passed away on Friday, November 13th, 2020 in Alpharetta, Georgia. Lee was born on May 20th, 1942 in Minot, ND.

Lee is survived by his wife of 58 years, Mary, children Kelly (Jeff) Battaglia and Mitchell (Ally) Gass, and Grandchildren Evan, Courtney and Colin, Sister Joyce (Phil) Cregan, nieces and nephew and very many wonderful friends gained throughout the years in the various places he had lived and traveled. 

Lee spent most of his young years growing up in Montana and Minnesota as well as a short time in South America with his parents around ages 4-5.  Lee graduated from White Bear Lake High School in 1960.  He met his wife Mary also in 1960 while attending First Lutheran Church in White Bear Lake.  Lee married Mary on August 10th, 1963, at the same church where they met.  Lee also joined the Minnesota National Guard as a Military Police Officer and achieved rank of Staff Sergeant.

Lee began working for Onan Corporation in 1963 which eventually led to a brief move to Kansas City, Mo. And then to Omaha, NE as he took a position of Vice President of Anderson Equipment Company. Later Lee and two other partners bought Anderson Equipment and ran it until 1990. In 1991 Lee bought the Gretna Bowl & Lounge in Gretna, NE and ran the business with Mary until 1998 when they decided to move back to Minnesota to be closer to their families.  In 2000 Lee and Mary bought 3 franchises of Mail Boxes Etc. which later became the UPS Store and ran them until 2008. In retirement, Lee and Mary began to spend more time on the road in their RV traveling through most of the southern and western states each winter with friends.  In 2019 Lee and Mary moved to Alpharetta, GA. 

Lee had a strong desire to volunteer and help people, and in 1978 he became a free mason at Covert Lodge #11 in Omaha, NE and was active as a 32nd Degree Mason for 42 years.  He also completed his various degrees through the Scottish Rite and joined the Tangier Shrine in 1980 and remained active until their move to Minnesota in 1999. 
On of Lee’s accomplishments was becoming Captain of his Shrine Unit, Motor “B” Patrol in 1984.  He often spoke with high regard the life-long friends and volunteering that he was able to do with his Masonic experiences as well as having his family involved with Motor “B” for many years doing Shrine fundraising and parades on weekends and holidays and helping to transport kids to the Shriner’s Hospital for Children in Minnesota.