Lee Hoatson

L ee H oatson was born on April 30, 1944, in Hershey, Neb., to Frank and Dorothy Hoatson. He passed away in Sutherland, Neb., on January 19, 2025, at the age of 80.

Lee was raised on his parents’ ranch northwest of Sutherland. He attended Sutherland Public Schools, graduating in 1962. Later that year, he joined the U.S. Navy and trained at the Naval Submarine School in Groton, Conn. He served his country during the Vietnam War – earning the National Defense Service Medal and Vietnam Service Medal with a Bronze Star.

In 1965, Lee married Barbara Mayhew in Sutherland. They returned to the San Diego Naval Base where Lee was stationed. Barb’s younger sister, Deborah, came to live with them after their parents’ death in 1966. After his military discharge in the summer of 1968, they moved to McCook where Lee attended college. In 1968, their daughter, Jodi Lee, was born. They welcomed their son, Jeffrey Scott, in 1970 – the same day Lee graduated from McCook Junior College. Lee also attended Chadron State College and the University of Nebraska-Lincoln, earning his bachelor’s degree in animal science and agricultural economics in 1973.

Lee and his family moved to North Platte where he used his animal science knowledge at the University of Nebraska Experimental Station before returning to Sutherland to become a feed salesman for Farmland Industries. Lee would also work for the local Co-op and then became a federal employee as a maintenance mechanic at Lee Bird Field, retiring from the government in 2010.

Twenty-five years ago, Lee and Barb took on the task of completely renovating Frank and Dorothy’s home in Sutherland, where they lived together until Lee entered the nursing home.

He was a member of the Sacred Heart Catholic Church and the American Legion Post #208 in Sutherland. In his spare time, he raised cattle on his father’s ranch, held various volunteer positions in the American Legion, enjoyed spending time with his family and watching Cornhusker games.

Lee is survived by his wife of 59 years, Barb; daughter Jodi of Omaha, Neb.; son Jeff (Kylie) of Shelby, Neb.; grandsons Jake, Max and Mickey; brothers Larry (Barb) and Loren (Judy); sisters-in-law Deb (Bill) Brinker and Sonja Brown; brother-in-law Bill Rice; and numerous cousins, nieces, nephews and other family and friends.

He is preceded in death by his parents, Frank and Dorothy; brother Layne; brother-in-law Frank Brown; sister-in-law Sharon Rice; beloved aunts and uncles and many family pets.

Mass of Christian Burial will be held at 10 a.m., Friday, Jan. 24, at Sacred Heart Catholic Church in Sutherland with Celebrant Father Sagar. Inurnment with military honors will be at 2 p.m. at Fort McPherson National Cemetery in Maxwell. Family and friends are invited to a reception at the Sutherland American Legion Hall after the mass.

Memorial donations can be made to American Legion Post #208 and the Michael J. Fox Foundation for Parkinson’s research. The memorial book may be signed at odeanchapel.com or at Odean Colonial Chapel at C & Sycamore, which is in charge of arrangements.