Lee Gibb

Alameda, Calif.

Lee was born in 1934 at Trinity Hospital in Minot, North Dakota to Colin and Alverda Gibb. The oldest of six children, Lee was raised in Minot on 22nd St NW, just one street over from his future friend and wife JoAnne Leverson.

Lee graduated from Model in 1953 and immediately went into the Navy. After two years in the Navy, onboard USS Cape Esperance, he returned on leave to marry JoAnne in their hometown of Minot at the First Lutheran Church at 8 p.m. on July 23, 1955. Upon completion of his time in the Navy he remained in Alameda, completed his education at Oakland City College and earned his Aircraft and Powers plant licenses. Lee was employed by United Airlines in San Francisco as an airline mechanic, climbing the ranks and retiring after 34 years as a United Airlines manager in Oakland. They raised their four children in a historical, craftsman home on the east end of Alameda, CA. Outside of family and work, Lee enjoyed hiking Bodega Bay, baking a lemon meringue pie for a lucky neighbor, spending time at the family cabin in Arnold and creating beautiful stained-glass pieces at the Mastick Senior Center. After retirement Lee and JoAnne spent equal time between Alameda and Minot, ND. They cherished spending time with their close-knit group of friends since childhood in Minot every year.

It’s near impossible to write about Lee without including JoAnne. His life with JoAnne was the most important part of Lee’s life.

As the story goes, Lee and Joanne grew up together but everything changed when Lee got a motorbike. JoAnne really liked the motorbike and wanted a ride, so she became fast friends with the ‘Gibb boy’. JoAnne was babysitting one day on Valentine’s Day, when she received a telephone call from her father, Maynard. A tall, strong, Norwegian and solid Lutheran, Maynard was a man of few words. “JoAnne, someone bought chocolates for you,” said Maynard. “We will talk about it when you get home.”

JoAnne was surprised to hear Maynard’s words upon arriving at the house. “The chocolates are on the kitchen table,” he said. “The Gibb boy knocked, and when I opened the door he fumbled with the box, pushed it in my hands, quickly said, ‘Happy Valentine’s Day’ and ran away.” Maynard laughed and said, “I don’t think they are for me.” JoAnne took the box to her room and waited for her sister Marcy to come home to share the sweet news and enjoy the chocolates.

Tradition was important to Lee and JoAnne throughout their life and even in the afterlife. Lee and JoAnne made the decision to be cremated with strict instructions. Whoever passed first would be cremated and wait until the other’s passing. JoAnne passed first in 2012; her urn graced the fireplace mantle topped with a massive Christmas bow. She loved Christmas! With Lee’s recent passing, his urn was placed alongside JoAnne’s.

“Together in life and together in death,” they said. “We could not imagine being buried separately, so please purchase an urn to mix our cremains together to inter back in Minot. We want to return together to the ground we came from.” They will be buried together on their wedding anniversary July, 23rd at 8 p.m. at Rosehill Memorial Park.

Lee is survived by his children: Brent, Bryce, Blaine and JoLyn; his four favorite sisters; Patty, Winnie, Irene and Colleen and five grandchildren; Misty, Aaron, Crystal, Ashley and Tula. On August 9, 2022 when Lee passed his wife JoAnne, brother David, family and friends waited with open arms on the other side.

Join us in Minot, N.D., Sunday July 23rd, 2023 at 7 p.m., First Lutheran Church with Pastor Brandy for prayer and a blessing of their ashes and 8 p.m. at Rosehill Memorial Park for burial. Contact GibbMinot@gmail.com.

Published by The Minot Daily News, July 10, 2023.