A Memorial Service for Thomas L. Stee of Rochester will be 11:00AM Tuesday, December 20, 2011 in River Park Chapel at Macken Funeral Home officiated by Rev. Karna Hagen. Burial will be in Zumbrota Cemetery with graveside military honors provided by Zumbrota VFW Stary-Yerka Post 5727, assisted by Wanamingo and Mazeppa VFW Honor Guards.

Mr. Stee, age 90 of Rochester died Wednesday, December 14, 2011 at his home of natural causes.

He was born Thomas Lemmerman Stee January 31, 1921 at Zumbrota to Lambert and Bertha (Lemmerman) Stee. He grew up in Zumbrota and graduated from high school there in 1939. At the age of 13 he began assisting his father as a plasterer. He served in the Army during WWII from 1942 to 1945 in the South Pacific. When he returned home, he continued working in the family plastering business.

On November 15, 1947, shortly following the Armistice Day blizzard, he married Joyce Tongen at Holden Lutheran Church in Kenyon. Mrs. Stee is a retired JC Penney employee and survives. The couple owned and operated the Zumbrota Motel for a number of years, built by Tom and his father. In 1963 they moved to Rochester. Mr. Stee later bought and managed a mobile home park, located on Second Street Southwest. He retired in 1979.

The couple took numerous trips and enjoyed traveling. They have wintered in the Phoenix area for many years and would have gone south this season.

Tom recently received a certificate from the Zumbrota VFW Stary-Yerka Post 5727 recognizing his 65 ^th year as a charter member.

In addition to his wife, Mr. Stee is survived by one son and two daughters: Alan Stee of Phoenix, Barbara (Steven) Ross of Rochester and Mary (Ed) Janiga of Edina. A grandson, David (Kara) Janiga of Richfield survives. In addition, he is survived by a sister, Lorraine Hartwig of Northfield.

Friends may call one hour prior to the service at the funeral home on Tuesday.

A light luncheon will be served following the service at the funeral home.