Bokkwi Lee

Bokkwi Lee passed away on November 22 at 11:41 pm at the I-94 Sanford Hospital in Fargo, at the age of 75 from an acute ascending aortic dissection.

She was born in Daegu, South Korea on November 3, 1950 and her first few years during the Korean war was as a refugee with her mother (Jong Soon Bak) while her father (Yu Uhn Lee) defended South Korea.

On June 5, 1966 Bokkwi married Jeong Jea Do and three children soon followed: their first daughter Gina Hyosun Schmidt, now married to Ernie A. Schmidt of Fargo, ND; their second daughter Hyosuk Do, now married to Jo Geung Jong of Gimhae, South Korea; and their only son Jong In Do, now married to Olga Do of Daegu, South Korea. On January 27, 1996 Bokkwi’s husband of 30 years passed away from cancer. In June 2006, she packed her bags and moved to Fargo, ND to live with Ernie and Gina Schmidt for the rest of her remaining years. Bokkwi became a US citizen on June 21, 2016.

Bokkwi was a proud grandma to Un Hee Jong and Meung Moon Jong, who also live in South Korea. She was the oldest of six siblings, having two sisters (1 deceased) and 3 brothers, all who still are in South Korea. She and her family had a very difficult time after the Korean War with food being very scarce. This led Bokkwi to become a wonderful farmer and gardener. She learned at a young age to eat what she grew and share the rest of her harvest. Her gardening and giving lasted her whole life. Her greatest gardening achievement was successfully getting a Corn Plant to grow and bloom, which is Korean lucky charm for prosperity and good fortune.

Bokkwi was a treasure to anyone she met. She always found ways to make friends and family happy by the way she conversed with them or her giving nature. She counted herself very fortunate to have done some traveling in her later years to places near and far. She would get the hugest of smiles on her face whenever she harvested overly large vegetables off the garden!

We will miss Bokkwi, who was a great friend, mom, and grandmother.

Celebration of Life: Saturday, November 29, 2025 at 2:00 PM with visitation one hour prior all at West Funeral Home, West Fargo, ND.

West Funeral Home & Life Tribute Center

westfuneralhome.com

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