Leeland F. Burrows

Leeland “Lee” Frederick Burrows, age 88, passed away peacefully on January 22, 2024, at St. Anne’s Extended Care in Winona, Mn.  Lee was a loving husband, devoted father and proud grandfather. He was born on May 9th, 1935, in New Amsterdam, WI to Fred and Adeline Burrows. He was the eldest sibling in the family to brother Dean and sister Corrine. Immediately following his graduation from Holmen High School, he joined the Army and served in the Korean War. After returning from his military service, he met his future wife, Carol Jane Miller and proposed to her at the very 1st La Crosse Oktoberfest. They married and moved to Kenosha, WI and then Dubuque, Iowa where he worked for the Corps of Engineers and Carol taught high school English.  Lee and Carol had 4 children; Karl, Jennifer, Taje and Mattias. The Dubuque farmhouse was an adventurous place to live. The family had a pony, goats, chickens, dogs and cats and they expanded the brood  with foster children Joe, Chuck and Billy. Lee transferred to work at Lock & Dam 5, so the family packed up and moved to Minneiska, Mn. Lee loved living on the Mississippi River and enjoyed fishing and hunting. Carol and Lee were active in their community and local politics, he served as the Mayor of Minneiska for 25 years. They were married for over 50 years until her death in 2012. Lee was a die-hard Green Bay Packer fan and loved watching the games, playing poker and bingo, following politics, and spending time with his family. 

Lee was lovingly nicknamed Mr. Safety, as the safety and warmth of his loved ones were always at the forefront of his mind. If Lee was around and you fell asleep on the sofa, you would be waking up with a blanket, even if it was 90 degrees. He was always keen to give advice, preceded by jingling the change in his pocket and starting with a “now listen”.In his later years, he met Darlene Dimitroff and they spent their time going to basketball games, dining out, attending family celebrations and hunting for treasures at rummage sales.

Lee is survived by his brother Dean (Darlene) Burrows and Corrine Eilers, children Jennifer (Terry), Taje (Laura), Matt, daughter in-law Kelly and grandchildren Kayla (Oliver), Claira, Ethan, Sawyer and Gretchen and many nieces and nephews. Lee was preceded in death by his parents Fred and Adeline, an infant sister, wife Carol, son Karl, brother in-laws Sam Miller, Ken Eilers, Cliff Growe and great-nephew Spencer Scheil. The world is a better place because you lived, Lee. We love you and miss you very much.

A Celebration of Life will be held at a future date with a private burial. The family would like to extend their sincere appreciation to St. Anne’s Extended Care for all of their compassionate support.