Leellen "Lee" Thomason

Leellen (Lee) Thomason, age 76, of Bismarck, passed away after a brief illness on the morning of Tuesday, October 20, 2026, at CHI St. Alexius Health in Bismarck, ND.  Cremation has taken place and no services will be held.  

Lee was born on August 6, 1950 the youngest of four children born to Alfred “Curly” and Helen (Kolhoff) Thomason. She spent her formative years in Lisbon, ND, where she graduated from Lisbon High School in 1968. She received a bachelor’s degree in education from Valley City State College in 1972 and later made her home in Bismarck, where she worked as a bookkeeper for the Young America Corporation. Later in her career, she was employed with Job Service North Dakota until retiring. An Elvis impersonator helped usher Lee into a well-deserved and much-anticipated retirement.

Fifty years ago, Lee met the love of her life, Jack Gabriel. Together they shared countless laughs and adventures while traveling up and down the Missouri River and the rest of the world. Some of Lee’s favorite destinations included Dubai, Vietnam, China, Brazil and several counties in Europe.

An English bulldog or cat was always the third member of the household, with the current fur baby being Cocoa. The animals were always spoiled and provided endless companionship and laughter. They were often the talk of the River Road neighborhood.

Lee’s philosophy was, “A little culture never hurt anyone.” She and Jack were familiar faces at all the exhibits hosted by the Bismarck Art and Galleries Association. Always giving back to her community, you could find her volunteering at the CHI gift shop on Tuesday afternoons. Lee was a founding member of the Double Nuts Pinochle Club, participating in monthly games for more than 40 years. An avid reader, she was always ready with a good book recommendation. In her younger years, she played in local volleyball leagues and on softball teams. She may not have been the most athletic player on the team, but she was definitely the biggest cheerleader.

Lee is survived by her husband, Jack Gabriel of Bismarck; sister, Norma Rodlund of West Fargo ND; brother, Mark (Barbara) Thomason of Park Rapids MN; brother-in-law, Dennis (Jan) Gabriel of Detroit Lakes MN; sisters-in-law, Patricia (Dr. Burton) Belknap of Fargo ND and Lori Gabriel of Mandan ND as well as several nieces and nephews, great nieces and nephews and great-great nieces and nephews.

She is proceeded in death by her parents; brother, Charles (Chuck) Thomason; sister-in-law, Mary Thomason; nephew, Paul Thomason and brothers-in-law, Carl Rodlund and Dave Gabriel.

Memorial donations may be made in Lee’s name to the Furry Friends Rockin Rescue at PO Box 7364 Bismarck ND 58507 or to a charity of your choice.