Obituary of Choonja Lee

Choonja Lee, age 81, of Maple Grove passed away peacefully at her home on February 8, 2023.  Known as “CJ” to most of her friends, she was born in Gwangju, South Korea on May 9, 1941.  CJ is preceded in death by parents Sung and Kapnae “Nona”, twin sisters, nephew Hyunsuk “Ted” Lee and ex-husband David Adams.  She is survived by daughter Yvonne (Brian) Kinnie, son Yul (Lindsay Christopher) Kim, ex-husband Roy (Kesoon) Kim, and twin grandsons Colton and Granden Kinnie.

CJ grew up in Mokpo, South Korea.   She graduated from Chonnam National University in 1958 with a degree in nursing.  She then enlisted in the military hospital in 1961.  CJ eventually came to the United States in 1968 to study Anesthesia at the Mayo Clinic in Rochester, MN where she graduated as a Certified Registered Nurse Anesthetist (CRNA) in 1970.  She also earned an MBA from the Carlson School of Management at the U of M in 1987.

CJ travelled the world throughout her life.  She was an avid and accomplished golfer having 3 hole-in-ones.  CJ enjoyed the camaraderie and competition of ping pong, pickle ball, and tennis.  She was also a walleye fishing fanatic and loved spending time at her cabin on Lake Mille Lacs.  

The visitation will be held at the Cremation Society of Minnesota – Brooklyn Park at 10:00 am (11:00 a.m. prayer service) on Saturday February 18^th (www.cremationsocietymn.com).  Following the visitation a burial service will take place Resurrection Cemetery at 1 p.m.