LeRoy Robert Hamre

LeRoy (Lee) Robert Hamre, 89, of Bismarck, ND, formerly of Dickinson, ND, died of natural causes on Saturday, May 23, 2020, at his home. A celebration of life service will be held at Sertoma Park, Shelter #10, on Monday, June 8, 2020 at 11 am. This is a large shelter and social distancing will be encouraged. Rev. Jodi Myrvik, of Edmore, ND will officiate at the ceremony (a reception will follow the service) with burial in the
North Dakota Veterans Cemetery at 2 pm. Cremation has taken place.

Lee was born Feb. 3, 1931 in Sarles, ND, to Robert Hamre and Arnetta (Nettie) McGregor Hamre. He was raised and educated in Fairdale, ND and attended the University of North Dakota (UND) for two years before serving in the 27th Infantry Regiment (Wolfhounds) in Korea (1951-1952). He earned the combat infantry badge with 3 battle stars and several other awards. He proudly participated in the ND Honor Flight to Washington DC in 2015. Lee graduated in 1955 from UND with a Business Management degree. In 1979 he graduated from Pacific Coast Banking School at the University of Washington and in 1986, Lee completed a postgraduate course through the Graduate School of Banking, University of Wisconsin.

On August 20, 1955, Lee married Lila Mae Okeson of rural Adams, ND and began working for Universal CIT, a financing company, in Grand Forks, ND. He was eventually promoted to District manager and transferred to many locations; Bismarck, Duluth and Rochester, MN, back to Grand Forks and finally to Wichita, KS. In 1970, he became a commercial loan officer with the First National Bank, Dickinson, ND and was later a bank Vice
President. In retirement, he worked part time at the bank in Belfield and volunteered as a tax preparer.

Lee enjoyed spending time with his family, especially during summers at their cabin on Lake Melissa in MN. He was an avid reader, loved playing duplicate bridge and bingo, attending and watching Twins Games and UND sports, concerts and more reading! In 2003, Lee and Mae became “snow birds” in Mesa, AZ. Lee attained the bridge rank of Life Master and was proud to have earned the ND Ace of Clubs award several times. Lee played duplicate bridge 6 days a week in AZ after Mae passed away.

He was an active member of United Church of Christ in Dickinson for 40 years and in AZ Lee and Mae were associate members of Our Saviors Lutheran Church. In 2009, Lee and Mae moved to Bismarck and they became members of Good Shepherd Lutheran Church. Lee was also a member of: Rotary, Elks, Sons of Norway, The American Contract Bridge League, American Legion Club, 164th Infantry Association and UCT.

Lee is survived by: three daughters, Mary (Daryl) Splichal of Bismarck, ND; Susan (Don) Moser of Turner, OR and Nancy (Joshua) Shirley of Dallas, OR; three sons, Robert (Julie) of Salem, OR; Richard of Laguna Beach, CA and John (Marimar) of Bismarck; one brother, Loren (Kathy) Hamre of Hillsboro, ND; brother-in-law, Lee (Marlene) Okeson of San Diego, CA; sisters-in-law, JoAnn Okeson of Park River, ND; and Jeanne Monson of
Grafton, ND; 10 grandchildren; Amy (Kent) Fredrickson and Kyle (LeAnne) Splichal of Bismarck, ND; Jessie (Garrett Rudolph) Hamre of Issaquah, WA; Jodi (Andy) Vanderwall and Jaime Hamre of Salem, OR; Jessica (Jeremiah) Pavlik of Yakutat, AK; Samuel and Michael Moser and Allison (Micah) Padgett all of Turner, OR; and Colton Shirley of Dallas, OR; and 4 Great Granddaughters; Haley and Payton Fredrickson; Evie Splichal all
of Bismarck and Ezra Pavlik of Yakutat, AK; and many nieces, nephews and many wonderful friends.

Lee was preceded in death by his parents; his loving wife of 58 years, Lila Mae (2013), his infant sister Arlene; his sisters-in-laws and their husbands, Shirley (Clifford) Myrvik of Edmore, ND; Darlene (Mosey) Flaten of Park River, ND and brothers-in-laws Milo and Glenn Okeson of rural Adams.

In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to your local library or Dolly Parton’s Imagination Library. Enjoy a hamburger with extra pickles and no onions and read a good book in Lee’s honor.

*** You are invited to the livestream for LeRoy Hamre's memorial services June 8, 2020 at 11:00 AM (Central time).

There will be a break in the livestream for lunch where you can make your own hamburger with extra pickles in honor of LeRoy. 

2:00 PM (Central time) for the burial service.

To join us via Zoom click: https://us02web.zoom.us/j/89247283035?pwd=RVQ2aTI3V0pDdERzMWdtYVRQaFRJUT09

Password: 060820

You do NOT need to have an account with Zoom to view the livestream video but it does help so that we may contact attendees should something come up. ***