Mollie A. Lee

Mollie Anna Lee, 81, of Richmond, Kansas, passed away Saturday, December 7, 2019, at Richmond Healthcare and Rehabilitation. Funeral services will be held at 2:00 P.M., Thursday, December 12, 2019 at Dengel & Son Mortuary, Ottawa. The family will meet with friends from 6:30 to 7:30 P.M., Wednesday, December 11, 2019 at the mortuary. Interment Highland Cemetery, Ottawa, Kansas. Mollie was born March 19, 1938 in Rantoul, Kansas, the daughter of Marion and Rozella (McCann) Schmoe, the seventh born in a family of fifteen. She grew up in Rantoul moving in 1956 to Ottawa. In 1964, she moved to Richmond where she made her home until her death. Mollie graduated from Rantoul High School with the class of 1956. She was united in marriage to Kenneth Matteson in November 1958. He preceded her in death in December 1959. She later married John Lee December 10, 1960 in Ottawa, Kansas. They divorced in 1991. Survivors include five children, Chesley “Chet” (Jane) Lee, John (Lora) Lee, and Mark Lee all of Richmond; Barbara (Larry) Owen of Ottawa and Edward (Sherry) Lee of Lawrence; brothers, George Schmoe, Merlin Schmoe, and Dale Schmoe all of Ottawa; sisters, Gladys Butter, Hazel Guyett, Myrtle Bones, Virgie Sink, and Jean Jones all of Ottawa; Janette Milbern and Audra Detwiler of Richmond; fifteen grandchildren, twenty-four great grandchildren and 1 great-great grandchild. She was preceded in death by her parents, Marion and Rozella Schmoe, two sisters, Donnie Nichols and Dorothy Gilpin; and two brothers, Homer Schmoe and Floyd Schmoe. Mollie was a lifelong devoted homemaker and helped on the family farm for 30 years. She was a seamstress during the 1950’s for Bruce Manufacturing. She was a former member of the Ruhamah Baptist Church and served on the Richmond City Council from 1991 to 1992. Mollie enjoyed gardening, puzzles, crosswords, canning, raising chickens and sitting outside on her swing. She especially loved spending time with her grandchildren and family gatherings. The family suggests memorial contributions to the Mollie Lee Memorial Fund c/o Dengel & Son Mortuary, 235 S. Hickory, Ottawa, Kansas 66067.