Lee Wollenberg of Longview dies at 88
Thursday, March 16, 2006 6:39 AM PST
By Barbara LaBoe
Printable version
E-mail this articleLee Wollenberg, who spent more than 60 years quietly organizing and supporting Longview civic and charitable groups, died Wednesday after complications from a heart attack.
Wollenberg, 88, never sought recognition, but friends and family said she was deeply dedicated to the numerous causes she championed, many involving children.
She helped start both the Toutle River Ranch, now called the Youth and Family LINK Program, and the Southwest Washington Symphony Auxiliary. She also was on the Head Start Policy Council, the Columbia Theatre Board and the Lower Columbia College Foundation Board -- including eight years as president.
"Oh, she did so much wonderful work for Longview," said Anne Minthorn, who met Wollenberg shortly after World War II. "She was just so civic-minded and was always very quietly doing wonderful things."
"She has always been active in Longview's social and charitable groups," wrote Barrie Altenhof, who first met Wollenberg 50 years ago when Altenhof's parents moved into the Wollenbergs' old house. "And I mean an active participant in whatever she did. That is: she could be found making the decorations, calling people on the phone, cooking the refreshments herself, arranging for this or that, volunteering to host groups large and small, showing up for everything and then cleaning up afterwards."
Wollenberg worked in the Toutle River Ranch thrift shop until shortly before her death and, despite her age, took turns washing laundry and waiting on customers just like all the other volunteers.
"She kept at it and never took the easy way out and never made excuses," said Pauline Kirchner, who served on several boards with her. "Oh, what a loss."
Wollenberg was born in Oregon and moved to Southwest Washington to take a job teaching second-grade at Kessler Elementary. She met her future husband, R.P. "Dick" Wollenberg, now-retired CEO of Longview Fibre Co., when his aunt set up a blind date.
"She called the principal at the school and asked if there were any new teachers there because her nephew had just moved to town," said the couple's son David Wollenberg
Dick Wollenberg called the young teacher up at his aunt's urging, only to be rejected because they were the same height and she worried she'd be too tall for her suitor when she wore heels. That didn't stop his father, David Wollenberg said, and the couple celebrated their 65th wedding anniversary in December.
The couple had five children: Ken, who died in December; David; Rick, the current Fibre CEO; and Carol. They also have six grandchildren.
Sons David and Rick Wollenberg said Wednesday their mother was an inspiration for her entire family.
"I would describe her as real lady," David Wollenberg said. "She was the kindest, nicest person that ever graced the earth. She had as much respect for the man who fixed her sink as she did for the CEO of a corporation. And she taught her kids the same thing."
"She really provided a tremendous inner strength and is an inspiration for all us," said Rick Wollenberg.
And while she was very much the proper lady, Wollenberg also had a fun streak and was known for zany gag gifts and her quick wit.
On her 88th birthday this July, for example, she bought herself an adult-sized tricycle for exercise.
"Oh she loved going around the block on that," Minthorn recalled. "It was something different and she enjoyed it."
And, while her real name was Leone, son David said that just didn't seem to suit her.
"She was a Lee, not a Leone," he said. "Lee was a bit breezier."
The family will hold a private interment but plans a memorial service May 28th at the Columbia Theatre, where Lee Wollenberg once sat on the board. The time has not been set.
In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations be made to the Youth and Family LINK Program, P.O. Box 2052, Longview, WA 98632.
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