Tracy L. Lee, 61

North Potomac/Blue Earth – Tracy Laurine (Ekstrand) Lee of North Potomac, Maryland (formerly of Welcome, Blue Earth, and Mankato) passed into the loving arms of Jesus on March 20, 2021 in Bethesda, Maryland, after a brief but valiant struggle with COVID pneumonia. A memorial celebration of life will be held in Maryland later in the spring.

Tracy was born on Jan. 31, 1960, in Fairmont to Alvin “Bud” and Edanelle “Eddie” (Saunders) Ekstrand. She was raised in Welcome, where she graduated from high school.

In her senior year, she set high school records for the discus and the shot-put in girls track. She loved to go fishing with her family, especially with her Dad, who taught her the fine art of fileting any fish she could catch.

Tracy attended college at Mankato State University, Mankato, graduating Summa Cum Laude with a BA degree in Social Work and a minor in Sociology. She worked for Minnesota Valley Action Council in Nicollet County after graduation.

Tracy married Richard H. Lee at Trinity Lutheran Church in Blue Earth, on Dec. 27, 1999.

After their marriage, the couple lived in Washington, D.C. and then moved to North Potomac, Maryland. Tracy worked at several nursing homes in the area as Director of Social Services. Her greatest joy was in raising her beloved grandchildren, Nathaniel and Shayla. She adored animals, and was “Mom” to her dogs, Chance and Marvin, and her kitty, Ruby.

Her favorite hobby was scrapbooking, and she leaves behind many, many of these treasure troves with photos, journaling, and memorabilia of family and friends. She also loved to read.

Tracy was preceded in death by her father, Alvin “Bud” Ekstrand; her maternal and paternal grandparents, her cousins, Gary Saunders and Diana Ziemer, and other relatives.

She is survived by her husband, Richard, of North Potomac, Maryland; daughter, Maggie Sanders, of Mankato; grandchildren, Nathaniel and Shayla, of North Potomac, Maryland; special grandchildren, Ethan and Jayden, of Washington, D.C.; mother, Edanelle “Eddie” Ekstrand, of Fairmont; sister and best friend, Elizabeth “Liz” (Dennis) Boettcher, of Blue Earth; nephews, aunts, cousins, and her many, many beloved friends, who will cherish her memory.

“Fear not, for I have redeemed you; I have summoned you by name; you are mine …. “ -Isaiah 43:1b.