Ruth Ann Lee

Ruth Ann Lee, of Watson, died Friday, February 13, 2026, at CCM Health in Montevideo at the age of 75.

Memorial services will be held Friday, February 20, 2026, at 10:30 AM at Watson Lutheran Church. Rev. Donald S. McKee will officiate and interment will be at Zion Lutheran Cemetery in rural Watson.

Visitation will be held on Thursday, from 5-7 PM at Anderson-TeBeest Funeral Home in Montevideo with a prayer service at 6:30 PM. There will also be a visitation at the church for one hour before the service.

Ruth Ann (Peterson) Lee was born January 10, 1951, in Chula Vista, CA, the daughter of Donald and Alta (Nelson) Peterson. They moved back to the family farm near Milan when she was a young girl. She was confirmed at Zion Lutheran Church in 1966 and graduated from Milan High School in 1969. Ruth Ann was united in marriage with Jerome Lee on April 24, 1971. They made their home in Devils Lake, ND, for a few years before moving back to the Watson area in 1974. She worked at the ASCS office for many years, was the constituent service representative for David Minge, worked at Copper Glen, and for the last 15 years was the owner/manager of the Hollywood on Main. She was the Chippewa SWCD Conservationist of the Year in 2018 and very active in the Kindness Alliances. Ruth Ann had a passion for the arts, history, and travel. She also enjoyed anything pertaining to Elvis Presley.

She is survived by her husband, Jerome; three children: Jason Lee of Watson, Jon (Erin) Lee of Fargo, and Donna (Jeremy) Hanson of New London; seven grandchildren; in-laws: Kenny (Cindy) Lee of Montevideo, Sue (Dave) Christopher of Alexandria, Rick (Sandy) Lee of New London and Alicia Lee of Montevideo; and nieces and nephews.

Preceding her in death were her parents: Don and Alta Peterson; her in-laws: Elton and Marjorie Lee; and brother-in-law Chuck Lee.