Lydia Ferne (Larrew) Lee

Mrs. Lydia (Ferne) Lee of Surprise, Ariz., formerly of Poplar Bluff, Mo., died peacefully on Nov. 19, 2015 in Surprise, AZ at the age of 96.

Ferne was born on June 21, 1919 in Birch Tree, MO, to Ethel (Faulkner) and Joseph W. Larrew. She met and married Joe Lee in Rombauer, MO. The two lived in MO, KS, NE, AZ and AR and had many business adventures during their time together including farming, owning and running two gas stations, raising rabbits and driving a moving van across the U.S. They moved back to Poplar Bluff after retirement before eventually moving back to AZ. Ferne enjoyed fishing, flowers and gardening, reading and making beautiful quilts for her family and friends.

Ferne is survived by her five children, Joseph W. Lee (Josie) of Surprise, AZ, Carolyn Sue Minnis (Jerry) of Surprise, AZ, David W. Lee (Sandi) of Dakota City, IA, John A. Lee (Shirley) of Peoria, AZ and Catherine R. Lee (David A.) of Elmira, OR.; four brothers, Lyle (Mike) Larrew (Connie) of Poplar Bluff, Donald Larrew (Bonnie) of Bridgeton, MO, Joseph W. (Dude) Larrew of Peoria, AZ, and Alfred (Bud) Larrew (Fran) of Mountain Home, AR; six grandchildren, Jennifer Robbins (Jim) of Phoenix, AZ, Tammy Harms (Gary) of Gilmore City, IA, Todd Lee (Loree) of Fort Dodge, IA, Tammy Longshore (Glen) of Phoenix, AZ, Joni Mulholland (Tim) of Avondale, AZ, and Jeremy Lee (Esther) of Eugene, OR; 13 great-grandchildren, Jacob and Jessica Robbins of Phoenix, AZ, Dustin and Kaitlyn Harms of Gilmore City, IA, Jenna Lee, Jaycie Jacobson and Jaymie Ray of Fort Dodge, IA, James, Andy, Jacob and Jordan McComas, Jared Lee and Sara Lee of Eugene, OR; and four great-great grandchildren, Jayden and Jaylinn Ray and Callie and Kaylee Porter of Fort Dodge, IA. Ferne was preceded in death by her husband, Joseph P. Lee and two brothers, John (Pete) Larrew and Clyde (Wes) Larrew.

The visitation will be from 5 - 7 p.m. on Monday, Nov. 30, 2015 at Cotrell Funeral Chapel, 701 Vine St., Poplar Bluff, MO 63901; Phone: 573-785-8484. The funeral service will begin at 1p.m. Tuesday, Dec. 1 at Cotrell Funeral Chapel with The Rev. Jim Shremp officiating. Interment will follow at Rombauer Cemetery.

In lieu of flowers donations may be made to Hospice of the Valley, 1510 E. Flower Street, Phoenix, AZ 85014; PH# 602-530-6900.