Obituary of Elizabeth Alderman Lee

Elizabeth Alderman Lee , 83, Minneapolis, MN, died Wednesday, April 22, 2020, of COVID-19 viral pneumonia. Elizabeth was born March 13, 1937, in Evanston, Illinois, to Margaret (Kimbark) Alderman and William Nellie Alderman. Known for years as “Betsy,” she and her brother William Kimbark (“Kim”) Alderman grew up in Chicago’s North Shore area. Betsy graduated from New Trier High School and earned an AA from Colby Sawyer College.

In 1958, Betsy married Donald Russell Lee. Betsy and Don had four children, moving six times before settling in rural central New York in 1975. While living in Toronto after birthing her fourth child, she enrolled in Vermont’s Goddard College and earned her BA in the Adult Degree Program. Most of the time while children lived at home, Betsy was cast in the important “supporting role” of wife and homemaker to Don, a rapidly rising pharmaceutical industry executive who traveled often for business. But within the family, Betsy played the leading role as domestic engineer, teacher, dog and horse trainer, chauffeur, child therapist, disciplinarian, chef, event planner, caterer, exchange student host--and the list went on and on. Betsy and Don had many adventures together with and without children, including amazing trips to destinations all over the world.

Elizabeth adored nature and the outdoors. She planted more than a thousand trees, raised horses, played tennis, jogged, and skied cross country. She also played the flute and sang in the choir. Elizabeth had a heart for service. She volunteered with the Nuclear Freeze Movement, a domestic violence shelter system, arts organizations, and mentoring programs. After 35 years, Betsy and Don ended their marriage in 1994. Elizabeth moved to South Edmeston, NY, where she and Frank Lebonick turned a barn into a beautiful home that unfortunately was lost to fire in 1999. She moved from there to Edina, Minnesota and then to South Minneapolis to be closer to her  daughter Kathryn, Kathryn’s wife April, and her beloved grandson, Keegan.

Despite chronic health conditions and severe pain, Elizabeth remained ever hopeful of traveling once again to visit her children and grandchildren across the country. For years she surprised everyone with her optimism and resilience.

Elizabeth is remembered with love by her brother Kim Alderman and his wife, Karen; by her four children and their spouses, Robert Kimbark Lee and Melanie Lee, Daniel Russell Lee and Joyce Lee, Kathryn Elizabeth Lee and April Conlee, David Martin Lee and Cynthia Lee; by her grandchildren, Stephanie Valentine, Cary Lee, Miranda Clayton, Megan Jenkinson, Marissa Murphy, Keegan Conlee, and Abigail Lee; and by her six great grandchildren and many friends and caregivers. The family wishes to thank countless members of Lyndale UCC Church and the neighbors in her community who helped support and care for Elizabeth. The family is arranging a “zoom” memorial service and in lieu of flowers, requests that any donations be directed to one of the following tax deductible religious or charitable organizations:

Lyndale United Church of Christ http://www.lyndaleucc.org/give/
Giving Options: General Fund, Covid-19 Fund, or Center for Sustainable Justice (CSJ)
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The Nature Conservancy: Plant a Billion Trees Project
https://www.nature.org/en-us/get-involved/how-to-help/plant-a-billion/
We would love to know if you choose this option!