Lee Caroline Metzelfeld

Lee Caroline Metzelfeld (nee Novotny) peacefully entered her eternal home into the loving arms of Jesus on Monday, May 29, 2023 at the age of 94.

Born February 12, 1929, to Bernice C. Pike and Alfred J. Novotny. Married Donald V. Metzelfeld (D 1980) on June 21, 1952 (date picked because it was the longest day of the year). Don and Lee had four children: Cheryl (William, D 2014) Berdan, Donald L (Debbie) Metzelfeld, Daniel (Jody) Metzelfeld, Lee A (James T) Hovorka.

Seventeen grandchildren: Jennifer (Kyle) Weaver, William (Samantha) Berdan, Nick (Kelly) Berdan, Caroline Berdan; Jessica Jeanne Gentz (D 2020), Michael (Amanda) Metzelfeld; Daniel, Melissa, Steven, Elizabeth Metzelfeld; Jessica Hovorka, James D Hovorka, Nathan (Jennifer) Hovorka, Elias Hovorka, Abigail (Jacob) Mueller, Hannah (Jason) Osheim, and Timothy (Brittany) Hovorka. 

Twenty great grandchildren: Gwendolyn, Emily, and Madison Hovorka; James B, Bennett, and Samuel Hovorka; Isabelle, Adelynne, Jullien, Chloe, and Ryder Hovorka; Logan, Kennedy, Annika, and baby Caleb 11/2023 Mueller; Baby Osheim 1/2024; Abram and Baby Hovorka 10/2023; Baby Berdan 7/2023; Baby Wyatt Metzelfeld 9/2023. 

Preceded in death by half-sister Sallie Arens, half-brother Franklin Arens and survived by half-sister Janet Conti (nee Novotny). Also survived by many more loving family and friends. 

What can one say about an incredible woman who lived over nine decades, it is inexpressible, impossible to overstate the blessing that a godly mother is in your life. Her four children would begin to say she was loving, endearing, selfless, and strong; her seventeen grand and twenty great grandchildren would call her “Super Grandmom,” although over the years she would also lovingly answer to Mugga, Granny, Bop, and most recent Bob.  

Lee came to faith as a young girl of about ten when she was invited by a neighbor to go to church, throughout her life, God continued to influence and provide strength. Many years later, following the illness and death of her husband, Don, she found assurance of her faith and committed her life to Jesus Christ on March 6, 1980. Her life Bible verse was the first verse she memorized, John 3:16. Lee faithfully served in the church in many areas including teaching children’s Sunday school, AWANA Clubs, the loving on the babies in the nursery.  

Mom (Grandmom), was a woman who allowed God to sanctify, purify, love, redeem, and shape her in life’s circumstances. Lee used these circumstances to live her life serving, believing in, caring for and cheering on her family (immediate, extended and everyone else in between). What will be remembered most and cherished most about her is that no one ever believed in her family as much as she did. She leaves a void-one we can scarcely describe-she also leaves a tremendous godly legacy of serving the Lord through serving her family, a treasured example for future generations. 

Lee was known for her contagious laugh and a beautiful smile which she seemed to always have on her face. She chose every day to start it with a smile, we will miss seeing her smile and hearing her laugh on this side of eternity.  

In her early days, Lee attended Pulaski High School, active in swimming and tennis, she attended Carroll College studying business. She also enjoyed the theater, Lee joined the Starlight Theater Players where she met her future husband, Don. After attending college, she worked at Gebhard/Berghammer until the birth of her first child. Went to work after her fourth child to Briggs and Stratton where her and Don worked there together until his death in 1980, Lee would retire after 30 years in April 1992. She then worked as the bookkeeper at Garfield Baptist Church (Spring Creek Church) from 1993 to 2000 where she really retired and enjoyed traveling, concerts, golfing, fishing, vacations with her kids, knitting and crocheting groups, and what brought her great joy, precious time with her grandchildren.  

Our hearts are grieving, but we are full of loving memories and hope of reuniting when we will move to our new home, Heaven, where we too will see Jesus. Love you, Mom (Grandmom, Super Grandmom, Mugga, Granny, Bop and Bob) XXOO 

Final Arrangements: 

A visitation will be held at Spring Creek Church, N35W22000 West Capital Drive, Pewaukee, Wisconsin on Friday, June 9th from 3:00 PM – 5:00 PM with a celebration service at 5:00 PM.

Krause Funeral Home providing services to the family.