Lee L. Palas, 70, died Tuesday, August 24, 2021, at the University of Iowa Hospitals and Clinics, Iowa City, after several months of battling illness.
Lee worked construction at Great Plains in Elkader for many years. Then moved to Wisconsin to work at Morton Buildings for 20+ years as a foreman and retired when living in Richmond, VA. He enjoyed watching many sports, but most of all, the Chicago BEARS and the CUBS! His passion for sports started at a young age, and led him to sign a baseball contract to pitch for the Minnesota Twins when he was 17 years old. Lee especially enjoyed watching his grandchildren play baseball, basketball, softball, and volleyball. He was also an avid fan of Western TV shows, anything with John Wayne, which he could watch for hours. And he was always eager to cut wood, to relax around the campfire!
He is survived by his children: Tara (Derek) Oyloe of Decorah, IA, Lisa Palas of Calmar, IA, Troy (Julie) Palas of Princeton, MN; his step-children: Lisa (Steve) Richards of Broken Arrow, OK, Tom Maanum of Maple Grove, MN, Travis (Kim) Maanum of Monticello, MN; his grandchildren: Jonathan Palas of Calmar, IA, Ethan, Evan, and Ian Oyloe of Decorah, IA; his sister Judy Harringa of Pleasant Hill, IA; nephew: Ryan (Emily) Harringa; his step-grandchildren: Callie (Taylor) Modaff of Minneapolis, MN, Rylie Kagel of Norman, OK, Finley and Sailor Maanum of Maple Grove, MN and several cousins.
Lee was preceded in death by his parents, Vera and LuVern Palas; his wife, Donna Palas; his brother-in-law, Dennis Harringa; and his niece, Danelle Harringa.
Memorial Visitation: 11:00 am to 1:00 pm Saturday, August 28, 2021, at Leonard-Grau Funeral Home and Cremation Service in Elkader.
A private inurnment will be held.
Leonard- Grau Funeral Home and Cremation Service of Elkader is assisting the family.