Lee Draper
Lee Draper, 77 of Ogallala, Neb., passed away Monday, August 29, 2022 at the North Platte Care Center.
Lee was born Norman Lee Draper on May 25, 1945, at Imperial, Neb. to Norman Leon and Charlotte Theone (Mathews) Draper.
Lee graduated from Chase County High School in Imperial. He married Vera Ann (Woodhams) in 1964 and lived at Ovid, Colo. To this union four children were born, Becky, Karlan, Christy and Mickel.
Lee met the love of his live, Janet Goodwin. They were married in January, 1984 and resided at Ogallala.
Lee was a businessman owning and operating auto service and repair shops in Ovid and Grant, Neb., for most of his life. He retired in 2004 at the age of 60. In retirement, Lee drove cars for Schmidt Motors and helped Gerry Kraus with corn harvest.
Lee enjoyed welding, metalwork, and woodworking. He enjoyed the casinos, playing cards at the Moose Lodge and watching his friends playing pool at the Senior Center. He was a member of the Ogallala Moose Lodge and a lifetime member of the Ogallala Elks Lodge.
Lee will always be remembered for his heart, his wisdom and his strength. He was resourceful and inventive and could make or fix almost anything out of nearly nothing. He will be greatly missed by all who knew him.
Lee was preceded in death by his parents, Norman and Theone; son, Mickel; mother-in-law, Marcile Nelson; brothers-in-law, Lavon Haarberg and Tim Tyerman; many relatives, friends, classmates and his special feline, Daphne.
He leaves behind his wife of 38 years, Janet of Ogallala; children, Rick (Oksana) Goodwin of Hershey, Neb., Robyn (Brad) Goodwin of Fort Collins, Colo., Becky (Howard) Johnson of Sedgwick, Colo., Karlan (Andi) Draper of Billings, Mont., and Christy Kage of Imperial; grandchildren, Kile (Maridale) Goodwin, Angus (Veronica) Goodwin, Heather (Wes) Bogenrief, Slade (Ansley) McClain, Sage Vance, Kort (Rena) Johnson, Weston (Aaron) Johnson, Shayln Johnson, Spencer (Crystal) Kotch, Dylan (Tia) Kotch, Cole Draper, Audrey Draper, and Grant Draper; great-grandchildren, Memphis, Laura, and Ezra Lee Goodwin, and Steele Johnson; sisters, Sharon Haarbarg and Lana Tyerman; special aunt and uncle Marlin & Letha Perks.
Memorials are suggested to the donor’s choice or to the family for later designation.
Lee’s wishes were to be cremated and no funeral services to be held.
“When I come to the end of the road
And the sun has set for me
I want no rites in a gloom filled room
Why cry for a soul set free?”