Background

Lee Ourth and his twin brother Lynn were born in Nauvoo November 27, 1933, the sons of Arnold and Florence Ourth and the great, great grandsons of Nicolas Diemer, Jr who came to Nauvoo from Germany in 1871. Lee graduated with honors from Nauvoo High School in 1951; Graceland College in 1953; and the University of Illinois in 1958.

He spent 27 years of his life in education which included: high school teacher, principal, regional supervisor for the state gifted program, and assistant regional superintendent. He finished his career as administrator of the county health department for nine years.

He has also served as: elected city treasurer of Nauvoo; Nauvoo Colusa School Board; state president of the Illinois Assoc of Health Administrators; Hancock County Board; Camp Callahan board; Hancock County 9-1-1 board. He is presently serving as treasurer of Hancock County Volunteers for Diabetes; treasurer of the Nauvoo Interfaith Fellowship; Manager and Treasurer for Camp Nauvoo and is very active in many activities as a minister in his church, the Community of Christ.

Lee and his late wife, Carmen (Harsch) had five children. Joe and family of Riverside, IL; Julie and family, Ft. Madison, IA; Janie and family also of Ft. Madison; Joni and family of Quincy, IL; and Jill and family in Lincoln, NE. On June 2, 2007 he married Karen Dorrance. Between them they have seven children and 14 grandchildren. They presently live in a house acquired by the Ourth family in 1946 and renovated in 2001. Lee has been an official resident of Nauvoo for 60 of his 74 years.