Lee R. Nopola

Private family services for Lee Richard Nopola, 63, of Inver Grove Heights, formerly of Biwabik, will be at a later date. Local arrangements by Ziemer-Moeglein-Shatava Funeral Home in Gilbert. Lee died Tues. Nov. 16, 2010 at his cabin in rural Biwabik. He was born Feb. 1, 1947 in Biwabik, MN to Wilho and Virginia (Stapleton) Nopola. Lee was a graduate of Horace Mann High School, later attended Virginia Junior College and received his Masters Degree in Elementary Education and Special Education from Bemidji State University. Lee began teaching elementary in Inver Grove Heights and later was drafted into the US Army and served during the Vietnam era as a military policeman. Following his military service, he returned to Inver Grove Heights to teach. On June 7, 1975 he married Martha "Marti" Richardson in River Falls, WI. He retired from Inver Grove Heights with over 30 years as an educator. Lee was the Grievance Negotiator for the Teacher's Union, coached football for Inver Hills Community College and served as a referee for high school football and swimming events. His passion was spending time at the cabin in rural Biwabik. Survivors include his wife, Marti, children, Jay Richard (Jayme) Nopola of Rochester and Katie Lee Nopola of Los Angeles, CA, granddaughter, Elise Nopola, sister, Kay Blackmore of St .Louis Park, three nieces and a sister-in-law, Diane (David) Clatworthy of New York. He was preceded in death by his parents.