Clara Rose Lee, 57, Eagle Butte, died Sunday, September 13, 2009, at the Sanford Medical Center in Sioux Falls.

Rose was born April 4, 1952, at Rapid City, SD, to Walter and Mary (Seymour) Lee. She grew up in Whitewood and graduated from Sturgis Brown High School in 1970. She graduated from Black Hills State with a degree in Elementary Education in 1974 and received her Master's Degree in School Administration from Northern in 1984. Her love of children and education was evident in her 33 years of teaching elementary and special education students in both the Sturgis and Eagle Butte school systems.

Survivors include her son, Jordan Cass, Eagle Butte; daughters, Nadine Lee and Danielle Cass, both of Eagle Butte; her mother, Mary Rucastle, Spearfish; one brother, Donald (Donna) Lee, Sturgis; sisters, Carol Gritts, Spearfish, and Barbara Lee-Bachand, Sturgis; three precious grandchildren, MacKenzie, Michaeli, and Ma' Leah, all of Eagle Butte ; nephews, Brian (Gail) Winner, Sioux Falls, Jeromie Gritts, Carleton (Jess) Gritts, and Trevour Gritts, all of Polsen, MT; one niece, Cheyenne (Brandon) Battson, Justin, TX; and one grandniece, Abby Winner, Sioux Falls.

She was preceded in death by her father, Walter Lee, and her father that raised her, John Rucastle, and one brother, Sherrill.

Rose devoted her life to sharing with and caring for others. She touched the lives of many through her willingness to listen, her kind words and deeds, and her generosity to charities and anyone in need. In lieu of a memorial, the family suggests a donation in her honor to be given to the charity or organization of the donor's choice.

In accordance with Rose's wishes, a family memorial service will be held at a later date.

May her gentle loving spirit continue to guide her family and her friends who are left behind to grieve her passing.