Obituary for Lee Elsworth Dunham
Lee Ellsworth Dunham, age 82, of Neenah died peacefully August 11, 2021 at Aurora Medical Center with his family by his side.
He was born August 6, 1939 in Oshkosh, WI, the son of the late Rex and Bernice (Gilbert) Dunham. Lee graduating from Oshkosh high school, he served his country proudly in the United States Army Reserve and worked 30+ years with Rockwell Axle/Meritor until retirement.
In life Lee most enjoyed time spent with family and his beloved dog Pugsley. Whether it was camping, time at the cottage, or driving for the Northman Drum & Bugle Corps, Lee had fun. A huge sports fan of the Packers and Brewers. Many enjoyable memories were made while watching games with his sons. In Lee's later years, with his long white beard, many knew him as Santa, and he often played the role of Santa going to homes and businesses to share the holiday spirit along with his wife Trudy dressed as Mrs. Claus. Lee could recite 'Twas The Night Before Christmas' like the real Santa Claus.
Lee had three children with his first wife, Sandra (Walters) Wheeler; Kim Dunham. Karie Dahl, and Kevin (Michelle) Dunham. Later he married Gertrude (Trudy) and he raised her children as his own; Jennifer Holly, Timothy Nagel and Charlotte Nagel. He will be missed not only by his children but by all who knew him, including his brother Thomas (Janet) Dunham, sister Marilyn Anderson, many nieces, nephews, grandchildren, great grandchildren and many friends.
Lee was proceeded in death by his wife Gertrude Dunham and brother-in-law Dan Anderson.
A special thank you to neighbor friends Joe, Cathy and Jim for helping Lee the past few years.
A celebration of Lee’s life with family, friends and neighbors will be held Friday, August 20, 2021 at 11 am in the backyard of the homestead at 1561 Collins St., Neenah, WI. 54956
He was born August 6, 1939 in Oshkosh, WI, the son of the late Rex and Bernice (Gilbert) Dunham. Lee graduating from Oshkosh high school, he served his country proudly in the United States Army Reserve and worked 30+ years with Rockwell Axle/Meritor until retirement.
In life Lee most enjoyed time spent with family and his beloved dog Pugsley. Whether it was camping, time at the cottage, or driving for the Northman Drum & Bugle Corps, Lee had fun. A huge sports fan of the Packers and Brewers. Many enjoyable memories were made while watching games with his sons. In Lee's later years, with his long white beard, many knew him as Santa, and he often played the role of Santa going to homes and businesses to share the holiday spirit along with his wife Trudy dressed as Mrs. Claus. Lee could recite 'Twas The Night Before Christmas' like the real Santa Claus.
Lee had three children with his first wife, Sandra (Walters) Wheeler; Kim Dunham. Karie Dahl, and Kevin (Michelle) Dunham. Later he married Gertrude (Trudy) and he raised her children as his own; Jennifer Holly, Timothy Nagel and Charlotte Nagel. He will be missed not only by his children but by all who knew him, including his brother Thomas (Janet) Dunham, sister Marilyn Anderson, many nieces, nephews, grandchildren, great grandchildren and many friends.
Lee was proceeded in death by his wife Gertrude Dunham and brother-in-law Dan Anderson.
A special thank you to neighbor friends Joe, Cathy and Jim for helping Lee the past few years.
A celebration of Lee’s life with family, friends and neighbors will be held Friday, August 20, 2021 at 11 am in the backyard of the homestead at 1561 Collins St., Neenah, WI. 54956