Obituary of Joan Patricia Lee
Joan Patricia Lee
(October 12, 1936 - July 26, 2023)
Joan Patricia Lee of Camrose, Alberta, formerly of High Level, passed away on Wednesday, July 26, 2023, at the age of 86 years.
Joan was born to Ingvald and Marion Tingstad on October 12, 1936, in Valleyview, Alberta, the 2nd of seven children. Growing up on the farm, with all that entailed, including chores, family, and cousins, Joan had a longing to travel. Her Dad provided each of the three eldest children with a bred heifer on the understanding that if they had bulls, he got them, but if they had more heifers, the kids could keep them. Mom’s was the only cow to have a heifer, so after selling her cattle, in 1951 at about 15 years old, she flew to the West Coast with her cousin, then continued on alone to Oklahoma to another cousin's wedding, and then to the San Francisco area to visit two aunts. Joan then moved to Brooks, AB, staying with another aunt and family to take her grades 9, 10 & 11, returning to the north to take grade 12 at St. Joseph’s High School in Grande Prairie, AB.
After graduating, Joan worked in a bank, then at Union Tractor in Grimshaw, where she met Gilbert Buschert, marrying him in July 1956. In September 1957, Maxine was born, followed by Neil in May 1962. Gilbert had a gravel and trucking business, and the family moved from Grimshaw to High Level in August 1968, with Gilbert passing away shortly after. In November 1969, Joan married Clarence Lee, and their daughter Jacquie was born in October 1972.
Having returned to office work at Flint Engineering the previous year, Joan then took on the Lee’s Construction books for thirty-plus years. Her community dedication showed in various fundraising projects and commitments to groups such as the Girl Guides in the 70s in High Level, and The Royal Purple for over forty years in both High Level and Camrose. She also delivered Meals on Wheels in Camrose for a number of years and was an avid Floor Curler. She enjoyed her twenty-two years in Camrose partaking in many area events such as dinner theatres, etc. She was also able to fill the travel bug in later years by taking various organized bus tours into the US and across Canada (dipping her toes into both the Pacific & Atlantic Oceans, and later into the Great Slave Lake as well), plus some cruise ship tours through the Panama Canal and along the BC coast to Alaska.
Joan leaves behind her three children Maxine (Steve) Bourke of Hay River, NWT, Neil (Annette) Buschert, of Hinton, AB, and Jacquie (Derek) Lee-Ilg, of High Level, AB; five grandchildren Michelle, Kelsey, Garrett, Dylan, and Dalyn; five great-grandchildren Lincoln, Cort, Bowden, Lauren, and Jack; two step-grandchildren Ralna, and Ian; seven step-great-grandchildren; and three step great-great-grandchildren.
Joan was predeceased by her husband Gilbert Buschert; ex-husband Clarence Lee; brother James Tingstad; sister Clare Tingstad; parents Ingvald and Marion Tingstad; and step father Norman Trimble.
A private family service will take place at a later date.
In lieu of flowers, donations in Joan's memory may be made to the Camrose Royal Purple or Compassion House Edmonton (10909 76 Ave NW, Edmonton, AB T6G 0J6).
