Gordon Martin

As the sun came up over his favorite view of Upper Gull Lake, holding his wife's hand, Lee, 73, of Lakeshore died at his home on Saturday, November 30, 2013.

Lee was born on October 28, 1940 in Minneapolis, to Gordon and Celia. Lee graduated from DeLaSalle High School, and earned a Bachelor of Science Degree in Business at the University of Minnesota. He married Linda Hofherr in Minneapolis on December 29, 1975. For 47 years, Lee owned and operated Northwest Swiss-Matic in Minneapolis. At the peak of the business he employed over 160 people. When the business was sold 6 years ago, many employees had worked there 40 years. Upon moving to Lakeshore, Lee was on the Planning and Zoning Commission and an active member of the Central Lake Corvette Club. He simply loved life.

Lee is survived by his wife of over 38 years, Linda; mother, Celia; sons, John Turner and wife Lesa of Woodbury, MN and grandson, Brexton and granddog, Murphy; Christopher Martin and wife Tina of Ham Lake, MN and granddaughters, Shaunna, Cheyenne, and Nichelle; daughter, Laura Carmichael and husband Bill of Brooklyn Center, MN and grandsons, Charlie, Jake, and Matt; brother, Cort Martin and wife Sue of Fridley. He was preceded in death by his father, Gordon; and daughter, Joanne Martin.

Services for Lee will be Thursday, December 5. Visitation will be at the Gull Lake Center at Grandview Lodge, Nisswa from 3-5 followed by a service and dinner. In lieu of flowers, memorials are preferred to either Woodland Good Samaritan Nursing Home (Brainerd) or St. Joseph's Hospital Cancer Ward (Brainerd).