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Dec. 30, 1936-Oct. 11, 2026
Watford City
Shirley Ione (Staehnke) Lee, 89, formerly of Watford City, North Dakota, passed away Sunday, October 11, 2026, at the TRU Hospice Unit at Longmont United Hospital in Longmont, Colorado.
Shirley was born December 30, 1936, in Bemidji, Minnesota, to Walter and Edna Staehnke. She grew up in a busy household surrounded by her brothers and sisters. During a summer spent waitressing at a Tioga diner while her dad looked for oilfield work, she met a young roustabout named Chester Lee – rumored to be partly brought together over her mother Edna's cooking.
Shirley and Chester were married in 1956, sharing over 66 years together. They raised three boys across McKenzie County, living in Keene, Johnsons Corner, and the Amerada Hess North Camp before settling into their Watford City home in 1970.
Around town, many remember Shirley as the owner of the original Twist Drive Inn, where she ran a tight ship, worked long hours, and gave many local kids their first jobs. Always eager to keep learning, she went back to college in her 40s to earn her bachelor's degree, going on to teach for many years at Mandaree on the Fort Berthold Reservation.
Considering all her interests, quilting was her true passion. Shirley pieced together nearly 200 quilted needlework projects over her lifetime, sharing her knowledge as a mentor in the local quilting community, where her friends affectionately dubbed her the “Queen Bee.” When she wasn’t at her sewing machine, she enjoyed playing in the ladies’ golf league, listening to Johnny Cash, and cheering on the WCHS Wolves.
Above all else, Shirley was devoted to her family. She took great pride in her three boys and loved nothing more than spoiling her grandkids and great-grandkids--especially with a fresh batch of her homemade caramel rolls.
She was preceded in death by her parents, Walter and Edna Staehnke; her siblings Betty, Neal, Enid, Fern, David, and William; and her husband, Chester, who passed away in 2022.
Shirley is survived by her three sons, Michael (Terri), Scott (Jaimee), and Mark (Julie); six grandchildren; five great-grandchildren; and many good friends and fellow quilters across McKenzie County.
Funeral Services for Shirley will be held on Monday, November 09, 2026 at 11:00 AM at First Lutheran Church in Watford City, ND with Minister Matthew Rolfson officiating. A luncheon will follow the services for a time of fellowship and sharing. Shirley will be laid to rest at Schafer Cemetery in Watford City, ND. The service will be recorded and uploaded as soon as it is available. Fulkerson Stevenson Funeral Home of Watford City, ND, is assisting the family. You may share remembrances, condolences, and pictures with the family at www.fulkersons.com.
Published by The Minot Daily News, October 20, 2026.