LaVirta “Vertie” Amanda (Hintz) Lee was born on Sept. 4, 1929, to Herman and Amanda (Boger) Hintz. She was raised in the Mapleton area and graduated from Mapleton High School in 1947. She started working at the Mapleton Telephone Office and Lumber Yard. Vertie married Kenneth Lee on Dec. 4, 1949. The couple farmed, living on top of the hill with a “million dollar view,” one and a half miles east of Soldier. They raised their three children there and were active in the community and Soldier Lutheran Church.
Vertie loved to dance, especially square dance and polka, and have a good time with friends and family as well as travel with her husband Kenny. She was an excellent quilter and made special quilts for all her children and grandchildren. She cherished the Eastside Homemakers Club with the neighborhood ladies and held several offices in the Soldier Lutheran Ladies Aide. Later on she worked at Nelsen’s Country Market. Vertie loved her special companion “Lucy the Cat” and always had kittens for all the grandchildren to enjoy on the farm. She mastered the art of making the best lefse and would often share with family and friends.
Vertie passed away on Oct. 16, 2020, from COVID-19 at the Maple Heights Nursing Home. She was 91 years old.
Vertie was preceded in death by her parents; husband, Kenneth in 2007; siblings, Sally Harding and Harold Hintz; and sons-in-law, Randy Olson and Tom Harris. Survivors include her three children, Vicky Lee and spouse Beliz Brother of Seattle, Wash., Sandra Harris of Soldier, and Dennis Lee and spouse Nudcha of Phoenix, Ariz.; five grandchildren, Stacy Brandon, Carly (Bob) Snider, Marcy (Tom) Bradley, Courtney Lee, Derek Lee; and two great-grandchildren, Cady Lynne Helton and Kherington Snider. Vertie considered Joyce Hinkel as her “other daughter."
Funeral Service was on Tuesday, Oct. 20, 2020 at the Soldier Lutheran Church. Rev. Marsha Smith officiated at the service. Recorded Musical Selections were “Softly & Tenderly” by Emmanuel Quartet, “Borning Cry” by Kevin Utter, “Smile” by Nat King Cole and “You Are My Sunshine” by Music Travel Love. Honorary pallbearers were Barb Holverson, Joyce Nelsen, Joyce Hinkel, Gaylene Dickinson, Colleen Shol and Patty Jensen. Pallbearers were Kevin Swenson, Terry Burke, Jake Harding, Jimmy Gran, Kyle Swenson and Bob Snider. Final resting place was in the Soldier Lutheran Cemetery. Fouts Funeral Home of Woodbine was in charge of arrangements.
