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Lana Kay (White) Lee, age 75 of Fremont, Indiana, passed away on Monday, February 9, 2026, surrounded by family in the comfort of her home. She was born on September 29, 1950 in Sturgis, daughter of the late William Henry and Emma Pauline “Blondie” (Bupp) White.
Always one to live her life on her own terms every step of the way, and never one to let grass grow under her feet, she had a full and varied work history. She started at Midwest Plastic and Days Molding. She also worked at Timberly Christmas Tree Farm, in the kitchen at Sturgis High School, on the housekeeping team at Cameron Hospital, as an auto detailer, and as a photographer at Walmart portrait studio. Lana will forever be remembered as the family historian. During their retirement, Lana and her husband Louie, found their passion as raptor & songbird rehabilitators. Lana loved to take pictures and enjoyed spending a great deal of time photographing wildlife, collecting coins, and seashells.
Lana is survived by her beloved husband of nearly 25 years Louie Lee, her three children, Kristie (Steve) Donohue, Joshua (Teresa) Matz, and Tony Matz, two step-children, Stacy (Barry) Pruser, and Scott Lee, five grandchildren, Anthony (Kayla) Larsen-Matz, Joseph Matz, Emily Matz, Kortnie Matz, and Andrew Matz, great grandchildren Timothy, Liliana, and Lee Larsen-Matz, and seven siblings, Dick White, Carol Crapo, D.W. (Delores) White, Cathy (Gale) Daniels, Penny White, Connie (Bill) McDaniel, and Bonnie Stump, brother-in-law Jerry (Janeen) Lee, her beloved pups Luna and Little Bit, her parrot Victoria, and many nieces, nephews, and friends. She was preceded in death by her parents Bill & Blondie White, two siblings, Dale White and her twin sister Linda Hostetler, and her mother and father-in-law John and Mary Hampshire.
In honoring Lana’s wishes cremation has taken place. The family will receive friends from 2:00 to 4:00 on Saturday, February 21st at Hackman Chapel of Hackman Family Funeral Homes, 114 S. Nottawa St. in Sturgis where a celebration of life will immediately follow the visitation at 4:00.
In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to Soarin’ Hawk Raptor Rescue, P.O. Box 13698, Fort Wayne, IN 46865 (www.soarinhawk.org) or the charity of your choice.
We encourage relatives and friends to share memories and condolences at www.hackmanfamilyfuneralhomes.com.
