Carmelina Lee
Carmelina “Lina” Lee, 81, of Alexander, N.D., passed away Tuesday morning, Aug. 25, 2015, at the High Gate Senior Living in Billings, Montana.
Carmelina (Lina) Lee was born, Nov. 23, 1933, in Zuara Marina, Libya, to Raimondo and Rosa (Punzetto) Scognamiglio.
She was educated and raised in Tripoli, Libya. Lina and her family experienced first hand the war in North Africa during World War II.
In 1954, she was united in marriage, to Raymond L. Lee in Quincy, Maine. They raised their children in Alexander, N.D., where they farmed.
Lina worked in the clothing business in Williston, N.D. for several years, including Standard Clothing, Dee Bee’s, and Joseph’s Clothing.
She was an active member of the Our Lady of Consolation Church Altar Society in Alexander, N.D. She was also a member of Catholic Daughters of America, the Alexander Lioness Club, American Legion Auxiliary, Miss North Dakota Pageant Hostess, and the Williston Mercy Hospital Auxiliary. In 1989, she was a member of the Alexander Bicentennial Choir and led a community group that created a bicentennial sign that was featured on KFYR-TV news the evening of North Dakota’s centennial day.
In the late 1990’s, Raymond and Lina moved to Williston, N.D. Raymond passed away in 2006. In 2011, Lina moved to Billings, Mont. She enjoyed spending time with her family and returning to Alexander to see the farm and visit friends. She enjoyed cooking and making jelly using farm grown rhubarb. She made many trips to North Dakota and Oklahoma to visit friends and relatives.
She was preceded in death by her husband, Raymond; her parents; and her brothers, Pasquale Scognamiglio and Domenico Scognamiglio; her sisters, Francesca Graziani, Rosa Rocca, Gelsomina Scognamiglio and Anna Maria Scognamiglio.
She is survived by her children; son, James (Mary) Lee of Billings, Mont. and their children Stephanie (Ryan) Bernard, Michael (Paula) Lee and Kelsey (Peter) Wilson; son, Larry (Sharon) Lee of Bismarck, N.D. and their children, Sabrina (Steve) Lee-Podoll and Loren Lee; daughter, Renee (Jerry) Rogers of Stillwater, Okla. and their children, Daniella (Gary) Knighten and Bennie Ray Rogers; two great-granddaughters, Teyla Lee and Lydia Podoll; and her sister, Suzy (Clifford) Edwards.
Friends may call at the Everson-Coughlin Funeral Home of Williston, N.D. on Friday, Aug. 28th, from 9 a.m. until 7 p.m. and for the hour preceding the funeral at the church on Saturday, Aug. 29, 2015.
Her Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated Saturday afternoon, Aug. 29, 2015, at 2:30 p.m. at Our Lady of Consolation Catholic Church in Alexander, N.D. Father Brian Gross will officiate and interment will follow at Hillside Memory Gardens in Williston, N.D. at approximately 4:30 p.m.
Friends may visit www.eversoncoughlin.com to share remembrances of Carmelina or leave condolences for her family.
The Everson-Coughlin Funeral Home of Williston is caring for the family.