Lee Drill Amundson was born March 2, 1931, in Almora. He passed away peacefully at the age of 94 yrs and 2 days in Parkers Praire, at St. Williams Living Center. Memorial Services were held for Lee D. Amundson age, 94 of Parkers Prairie (formerly of Henning) on Saturday, March 8, 2025, at the Vining Lutheran Church in Vining, Minnesota with Pastor Randy Freund officiating. Congregational hymns were accompanied by Stephanie Freund. Special Music was provided by Ken Gunderson. Military Honors were provided by the Minnesota Army National Guard of East Grand Forks, Minn.

His parents were Philip and Gena (Trana) Amundson. He moved to Henning when he was 8 years old. Lee graduated from Henning High School in 1949. He enlisted in the Army in March of 1951. He loved it! He was in the 11th Airborne Regiment 511th. He was a paratrooper PFC stationed in Fort Campbell, Ky. and was honorably discharged in March 1953.  He moved to California and worked for his uncle. On August 16, 1953, he married Ruth (Thoreson) in Venice, Calif.  Lee and Ruth moved to Missoula, Mont. in 1954 where he attended University of Montana. Son, Matt was born in Montana in 1957. Lee graduated from University of Montana in 1958, and they moved to Dallas, Texas. where he attended Baylor Medical School and earned his physical therapy degree. Son, Steve, was born in Dallas in 1958. Lee graduated in 1960, and they moved to West Palm Beach, Fla. where he started his career as Chief Physical Therapist at Palm Beach Children’s and Adults Society.  Son, Bennett, was born in 1960.  In 1962 they moved back to Minnesota and Lee started his private practice at the Drill Clinic in Hopkins. Lee was the first Registered Physical Therapist, in Minnesota, to open a private practice. Sons Clay and Carl were born in 1964.  Daughter, Tracy was born in 1965.  In 1974 Lee and Ruth moved to Vining. Lee started Edina-Southdale Physical Therapy in 1976 and sold his practice in 1996.

Lee and Ruth enjoyed many years of travel all over the United States, throughout Europe, the Caribbean, New Zealand and more than 25 trips to Alaska to see his children and grandchildren and go fishing. Four of those trips they drove the Alcan Highway. Lee and Ruth enjoyed 26 winters in Florida between Fort Myers Beach and Stuart.

They met people wherever they travelled and formed lasting relationships with people that are still a part of their lives.  Family and friendships were very important to Lee. Over the years he made hundreds of phone calls to keep in touch with family and friends made in college and the friends they met on their travels.

Lee’s hobbies included hunting deer and elk. He loved his fishing trips to Canada and Alaska, snowmobiling and family camping trips.  He learned to ski at 45 years of age and made 17 winter ski trips from then on. Lee loved the outdoors and mountains. He planted thousands of pine saplings enjoying watching them grow to make wonderful forests. Spending time in the woods was truly a happy place for him. Cutting and chopping hundreds of cords of wood was an “outing” he got all his kids involved in.  He was a great storytellerof his trips and experiences. His forever positive attitude made Lee the ultimate “visitor”. He cared deeply about connecting with others and asking about their lives. Lee was most happy when his family/friends could be around him.

His kindness, compassion, generosity and love for his family are already missed.

Lee will be dearly missed by his wife, Ruth of 72 years, the one he called “Tootsie,” his six children, Matt (Kim), Steve (Debbie), Bennett (Charmin), Clay (Amy), Carl (Pam) and Tracy (John) Bye. His 19 grandchildren and 19 great-grandchildren. His brother Lloyd and sister Phyllis (Wayne) as well as many nieces and nephews.  Lee was proceeded in death by his daughter-in-law Kim, parents, brother Duane and sisters-in-law Barbara and Stella.

A good life, well lived.

Please visit www.karvonenfuneralhome.com to leave memorials and condolences on Lee’s Tribute Wall.

Arrangements provided by Belmont-Karvonen Funeral & Cremation Service of Henning.