Yvonne Alberta (Lantz) Lee, 93, passed away peacefully in Columbia, Maryland October 26, 2026. She was born in Leslie, Michigan, April 11, 1933, the daughter of Roy Chester and Katherine Banks Lantz.

Yvonne was born and grew up on a farm in Leslie, MI, with her brother George and sister Naomi. She attended country schools prior to attending Leslie High School where she met the love of her life, Max Lee. She married Max in 1953, and they followed his coaching career to Kalamazoo, Manchester (where her sons were born) and Brooklyn, before making the big move to Fremont in 1961. Soon thereafter, she interviewed with Gerber Products Co. and was immediately hired to lead the steno pool. In 1963, she became secretary to Dan Gerber. During her 32-year career at Gerber she reported to eight different CEOs, and in 1985 became Corporate Secretary, at the time a position normally filled by male attorneys. She retired in 1993. The family moved to Hesperia in 1972 where they lived until 2004, when Max and Yvonne returned to Fremont. Her final move was to Maryland in 2024 to live close to her son Craig.

Her strong Christian faith shaped much of her life. In her childhood, she attended a United Brethren church in Leslie. The family joined the Fremont Congregational Church in 1962, where she sang in the choir for over 40 years. After retirement, she became an avid quilter and crafter, leading the church’s “Thursday crafters” for 21 years, during which time they raised $250,000 from the Christmas shopping fair.

Living with a coaching husband and athletic sons, she spent much of her spare time sitting in high school bleachers supporting them. She was also very involved in the community. She served as a Trustee of the Fremont Area Community Foundation board for 14 years, the local Hospice of Michigan board for 14 years, the Board of Chaplaincy Services for Newaygo County for 12 years, and a member of the Gerber Contributions committee for 16 years.

The most important things in her life were God and her wonderful family. She was very thankful for having a wonderful 65-year marriage, good health until the last few years, and incredible sons, daughters-in-law, five grandchildren and their spouses, and seven beautiful, healthy great grandchildren.

Yvonne is survived by her sons, Craig (Janet) Lee of Glenelg, Maryland; Dana (Leslie) Lee of Gallatin, Tennessee; her grandchildren, Erin (Trevor) Randall; Krista (Tom) Barron; Ryan (Ann) Lee; Stephen (Carmen) Lee; Kevin (Madison) Lee; seven great grandchildren; and many nieces and nephews.

Yvonne was preceded in death by her husband, Max Lee; her son, Steven Whitney Lee in 1956; her brother George Lantz; and her parents, Roy Chester and Katherine Banks Lantz.

In lieu of flowers memorial contributions may be made to the Alzheimer's Association in Yvonne’s memory.

Funeral services will be held Saturday, November 7, 2026 at 12:00pm, gathering at the First Congregational Church of Fremont, 714 Hillcrest Ave, Fremont, MI 49412. Visitation will be held the night before, on Friday, November 6, 2026, from 4:00 PM to 6:00 PM at Crandell Funeral Home’s, Fremont Chapel, 7193 W 48th St, Fremont, MI 49412. A luncheon will be provided following services at the church’s fellowship hall. Interment will be in Maple Grove Cemetery immediately following the luncheon. 

Crandell Funeral Home, in Fremont, is in charge of arrangements.