Lee’s homegoing to a better country, a heavenly one, took place on Friday, April 26th, 2024. Lee died at the Marion Tieszen Memorial Home due to health complications of dementia and Alzheimer’s. He was 82. Services will be held at the First Baptist Church of Parker, SD, with visitation on Friday, May 3, from 5 to 7 p.m. The funeral will be Saturday, May 4, at 10 a.m. Lunch will be served in the church fellowship hall. Burial in Rosehill Cemetery of Parker. Arrangements by Hofmeister Jones Funeral Home.
In Lieu of Flowers, memorials may be directed to First Baptist Church or Hope Harbor in Memory of Lee.
Lee was born May 26th, 1941, to Edward and Luella Krumbach at the farm northwest of Parker, with the help of Dr. Redding of Marion. He attended the District 3 country school through eighth grade and graduated from Parker High School in 1959. It was in high school that Lee met the love of his life, Judy Beier. The rest, as we say, is history. They were married at the First Baptist Church of Parker on Judy’s birthday, August 21st, 1960. They moved into the same farmhouse in which Lee had been born 19 years earlier. Although rather rustic, with a pump jack out front and outhouse out back for amenities, it served its purpose for a decade. During that time, three sons were born: Greg, Bruce, and Carter. The boys thought they had moved into a mansion when the folks built a new house, with indoor plumbing, in 1970.
Lee’s farm roots went deep in Home Township with the extended Christian and Bertha Krumbach family of aunts, uncles, and cousins, in addition to life long friendships with many neighbors. During his youth and early adult years, Lee actively engaged in farming, harvesting, and raising cattle with his dad and uncles Walter, Oscar, and Harry. The Krumbach brothers purchased one of the first threshing machines in the area and did custom threshing for several neighbors. It is safe to say that ingrained in Lee the seed of a way of life and living that along with Judy, he made his own in his early to mid-twenties. Starting out with a Massey Harris 82 combine and a 1949 International Harvester truck, Lee headed to Plankinton, SD, with his brother Ronald. That first harvest trip, Lee roaded the Massey Harris the 90 miles there and back. Patience, perseverance and a tolerance for heat, dust, and frustration were vital ingredients to be and become a custom harvester. And for Lee, the color made all the difference. Red.
The operation expanded south to Kansas and turned into the summer long wheat harvest involving the whole family. Judy, cooking and running meals to the field, washing clothes for the family and hired men, and sometime truck and combine operator. Greg and Bruce joined in when six and seven and before long, Carter began his first harvest when nine months old. Lee loved having his family close by and actively engaged. Judy by his side and the boys as truck drivers and combine operators, along with many local high school kids as hired help. As the operation and family grew, Bruce and Leigh continued to harvest with Lee and Judy. Soon enough, grandkids were helping out, and Lee could not have been more proud or happier. Another generation to experience and teach the harvest way of life. After 40 years on the road, Lee and Judy decided to see what life was like back home during the summer months.
While the harvest was integral to his life, Lee had a number of other interests, especially his grand and great-grandchildren. His face would light up with a big smile for each one of them. All of Lee’s family will miss him dearly, Judy most of all after almost 64 years of marriage,
Thank the Lord, as followers of Jesus, we are sure of what we hope for and certain of what we do not see. We grieve, but not as those without hope. Through Bible study and prayer with Judy, Lee realized that in Jesus there is forgiveness of sin, abundant life and assurance of eternal life. The boys were privileged to baptize Lee as he made his declaration of faith. The Krumbach's are known for long goodbyes. This time, it is not goodbye but until we meet again.
To celebrate his life and share many memories, Lee leaves his wife, Judy; sons Greg (Karen), Bruce (Leigh), and Carter (Kammy); brother Ronald (Sue) Krumbach; grandchildren Blake (Darcie) Krumbach, Andrew (Jorden) Krumbach, Laura (Nash) Eickholt, Aaron (Christie) Krumbach, Anna (Jake) Weinstein, Elijah (Rachel) Krumbach, Katie (Seth) Dykstra, Claire Krumbach, Isaiah Krumbach, Valentina Krumbach, Dimitry Krumbach, and 24 great-grandchildren. He was preceded in death by his parents and brother-in-law Reed Beier.
Thank you to all the special people at the Tieszen Memorial Home who provided such good care to Lee and the family. And many thanks and appreciation to our First Baptist Church family, and so many family and friends who have pitched in and shown us so much care and concern during this time. You are a blessing!
