LaVina "Lee" May Van Tassel, 91, of Rochester, MN, passed away peacefully Sunday, May 26, 2019 at Samaritan Bethany Nursing Home.

Born on the Fourth of July 1927 in Nekoosa, WI, Lee Blackburn always knew she was special since none of her other friends had parades and fireworks for their birthdays. She was right.

A young soldier thought so too, and on August 27, 1946, Lee married Edward James Van Tassel in Madison, WI fresh home from the war. Over the next several years, they added four wonderful children to their lives. A few moves later, the couple finally settled in Wisconsin Rapids, WI to raise their family. In 1971, Ed and Lee moved to the Rochester/Stewartville area where they stayed the rest of their years, close to many of their children and grandchildren.

LaVina is survived by three of her children, Mark (Katie) Van Tassel of Rochester, MN, Todd Van Tassel of Rochester, MN, and Julie Gettman of Carbondale, CO; nine grandchildren, 18 great-grandchildren, 14 great-great-grandchildren, and many special friends and extended family.

Lee was proceeded in death by her husband, Ed; her mother, Clara; her daughter, Rita; son-in-law, Gerry; daughters-in-law, Debbie and Annette; a grandson; and a great-granddaughter.

Memorial service will be held at 11:00 a.m. on Tuesday, June 4, 2019 in the River Park Chapel at Macken Funeral Home with Pastor Charles Ortloff officiating. Visitation will be held one hour prior to the service.