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WATKINS - Lee Robert Bannon, 54, of Watkins, Minn., formerly of Bemidji died Tuesday, February 21, 2012 in Watkins.

Funeral Services were held on Monday, February 27, 2012 at the First Assembly of God Church in Bemidji, MN with Rev. Vern Lathe officiating. Interment was at the Greenwood Cemetery in Bemidji, Minn., under the direction of the Cease Family Funeral Home of Bemidji.

He was born on February 18, in Inver Grove Heights, MN, the son of James and Lois (Sturgeon) Bannon. He attended elementary and High School in the Inver Grove Heights area. At age 17 he enlisted in the U.S. Navy, he was stationed on a supply ship throughout the Mediterranean until his discharge in 1980. He went to Longville to be with his mom and dad. He moved to Walker, Minn., in 1992 where he met Julie Anderson, they were engaged in 1997, and after moving to Bemidji, were married on August 25, 2001 at the Ruttger's Resort. Lee loved the Bemidji area, especially in the summer. He enjoyed swimming, traveling with his wife and dog Ziggy, and loved hockey, especially the Wild and the Bruins. He loved all of his friends and family very much, was a very loving husband, and will be greatly missed.

He is survived by: his wife, Julie K. Bannon of Bemidji, his mother, Lois Bannon of South St. Paul, Minn.; brothers, Greg (LaVae) Bannon of Plymouth, Minn., Larry Bannon of Oklahoma, Scott (Deb) Bannon of Utah; Sister, Sue (John) Dalrymple of Watkins; step-child, Dionne Abernathy of Longville; step-grandchildren, Logan Abernathy and Shyla Abernathy of Longville; nieces, Lois Green of Watkins, MN, Kallie Bannon of Plymouth; in-laws, Rodney and Myra Eastman, Doug Anderson, Randy Anderson; his beloved dog, Ziggy, and several other nieces, nephews, and cousins.

He was preceded in death by his father, aunts, and uncles.

Messages of condolence may be left at ceasefuneralhome.com.[[In-content Ad]]

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