Obituary of Rudolph Rudy Valentino Lee, Sr.

Rudolph (Rudy) Valentino Lee, Sr. was born April 29th, 1930 in Jonesboro, Arkansas. He was the second son born to the union of Willie and Zilphia Lee. His parents, his first wife Alice Daniels, two brothers; Willie and Adolph (sisters-in-law Minister Mattie Lee), his son Rudolph (Rick) Valentino Lee, Jr., two grandchildren Tremayne Allen Lee and Terron Mychal Lee and his wife Margaret “Margo” Ann Diederich-Lee, all preceded him in death.
 

Rudy confessed his hope in Christ as a child and was baptized at Malone A.M.E. Methodist Church in Sioux City, Iowa.

At the age of 4 Rudy and his family moved to Sioux City, Iowa where he attended Hopkins Elementary School, West Jr. High and then Central High School, where he graduated from in 1948.  After high school he married Alice Daniels in 1949.  To this marriage four children were born, Rudolph (Rick) Valentino Jr., Jeri Denise, Gregory Allen and William (Billy).  The couple remained married until her death in 1972.

Rudy relocated to Minneapolis in 1968. Shortly after he began working for the Minneapolis Public Schools system for 30 years, he retired January 1st of 2000.  On May 15th, 1976 Rudy was united in marriage to Margaret Diederich-Lee at Incarnation Catholic Church in South Minneapolis.  This union was blessed with over 42 years of marriage and children Chrycisse Diederich and Maia Diederich-Lee.

Rudy played softball for the Sioux City Ghost, an all-black fast-pitch softball team. The team was formed in Sioux City, Iowa in the 1930s and competed until 1956. He toured with the team starting in 1948, which allowed him to travel throughout the United States, Canada, and Mexico. He was an exceptional athlete in all sports including track and field, football, basketball and of course softball. In later years, he became a skilled golfer. He enjoyed playing with his golf buddies at several local courses in the Minneapolis area. He participated in tournaments in Minneapolis and also in Iowa with his son Rick and grandchildren, Treyla, Marissa and Trenton. Rudy was a map genius and in the 80’s and early 90’s he loved to take long summer road trips with Margo, Chrycisse and Maia. He enjoyed watching professional and college sports on television, especially football, basketball, the Kentucky Derby, the Masters and summer olympics. He was always active in building, creating or fixing something. He planted collard greens and tomatoes in his backyard garden and also in his daughter Jeri’s garden. He enjoyed visits from his grandchildren, which always brought out his youthful behavior. Rudy was devoted to taking care of his wife Margo, while she battled with Parkinson's disease for the last 18 years of her life. If you knew him, you know that he liked to tease and joke with people. His special way to make you laugh and smile.

Rudy is survived by three daughters; Jeri Lee and Maia Diederich-Lee of Minneapolis and Chrycisse Diederich of Savannah, Georgia, two sons; Gregory (Kristi Lee) of Minneapolis and Billy of Pinole, California, one daughter-in-law; Flora M. Lee of Sioux City, Iowa, eleven grandchildren; Leslie Michelle Lee, Treyla Mychele Lee, Marissa Frances Lee, Trenton Michael Lee, Rachel Nicole Lee, Christopher William Lee, Diedrick Zachary Nagle, Keyana Rose Diederich, Tamia (Wright) Hernandez (Santos Hernandez), Anthony Valentino Diederich-Lee, and Mariah Ann Diederich-Lee, one great-grandchild; Larissa Alaia Hernandez and several nieces, nephews, other relatives and friends.  Blessed be his memory.
 

Rudy’s family wishes to THANK everyone for your presence at today’s service and for your support and comfort during these very difficult days. 

Funeral Service Saturday, January 9, 2021  1:00 pm at Cremation Society of MN, 4343 Nicollet Avenue South, Minneapolis MN 55409.

To watch his service online, visit:  https://client.tribucast.com/tcid/881348602  starting at 12:45 pm.