Leo James Lee, 85

June 7, 1925 - March 9, 2011

Leo James Lee will always be remembered as "sliver-picker" to his family, and many others, who remember him serving everyone, giving huge hugs and being able to make or fix anything. Leo was born June 7, 1924, in Page, Neb., to Edward (Roche) Lee and Mildred E. Holley.

He moved with his father to Anaconda, Mont., as a young child. Leo started working, at age 16, as a welder for the Anaconda Mining Company smelter. He graduated from Anaconda High School in 1943.

Leo married his beloved wife of 58 years, Fay LaPriel Jensen, on Oct. 10, 1944, in San Luis Obispo, Calif., and they were later sealed in the Salt Lake City LDS temple. Fay passed away in 2002. In 2006, Leo married Helen Beckman, their longtime friend.

Leo was drafted by the U.S. Army during World War II and served from 1944-1945. He was wounded in the Battle of the Bulge after 100 days on the front lines as a bazooka gunner, and received a Purple Heart and an honorable discharge.

They returned to Anaconda, where he logged four years before moving to Hayden Lake. There, he worked at Grant Construction, owned and operated a welding shop (Tri City Repair), and operated his own logging truck business. In 1962, he moved to Dalton Gardens, where he began loading logs with his crane, instead of hauling them.

Leo joined the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints in 1944 and served valiantly in numerous callings; his first, as superintendent of the newly established Hayden Lake Sunday School. He served as a temple worker for 17 years: seven years in the Seattle Temple and 10 years in the Spokane Temple.

He grew to love family history. Leo had many talents. He taught himself skills which enabled him to work in various fields including farming (drove a six horse team), welding, truck driving and electrical. He was also a diesel mechanic, carpenter, plumber, hunter, painter, bike repairman, butcher, gardener, machinist, teacher, cook and wood worker. He especially enjoyed making wooden toys for his many grandchildren who remember him as their personal Mr. Fix-it.

In 1974, Leo helped start the Elephant Ear Booth at the North Idaho Fair. This charitable booth has continued nearly 40 years. In 1979, at age 55, the grapple of his crane crushed his body in a logging accident, ending his logging career. He continued using his many hobbies, and vast knowledge, serving others. Leo also enjoyed dancing, fishing, hunting and camping to get back in the woods.

Leo is survived by the following: wife Helen Beckman Lee of Dalton Gardens; brothers Eugene Roche of Ft. Smith, Alaska, and Jack Roche of Anaconda; sister Mary Ann Oestriech of Dalton Gardens; children, Sandra Davis and her husband Scott of Spokane, Wash., Gary Lee of Rigby, Jean Gatten and her husband Steve of Dalton Gardens and James Lee and his wife Paula of Dalton Gardens; stepsons, Ralph Beckman and his wife Billie of Port Orchard, Wash., David Beckman and his wife Kim of Hayden, Roger Beckman and his wife Margie of Yakima, Wash., Keith Beckman and his wife Becky of Gresham, Ore., Marcand Beckman and his wife Tami of Liberty Lake, Wash., Neil Beckman and his wife Tanna of Las Vegas, Nev., and Ross Beckman and his wife Linda of Pahrump, Nev.; 29 grandchildren, 23 step-grandchildren, 59 great-grandchildren, 34 step-great-grandchildren, and numerous nieces and nephews.

His parents, Edward (Roche) Lee and Mildred E. Holley Roche; his first wife, Fay Jensen Lee; a sister, Janet Wilkerson and daughter-in-law Gayle Young Lee, preceded him in death.

A public viewing will be held from 6-8 p.m. Friday, March 18, 2011, at Yates Funeral Home (744 N. Fourth Street, Coeur d'Alene). Funeral services will be held at 1 p.m. Saturday, March 19, 2011, at the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints (2293 W. Hanley Ave., Coeur d'Alene).

Yates Funeral Home has been entrusted with the care of funeral arrangements. Please visit Leo's memorial and sign his online guest book at www.yatesfuneralhomes.com.

In lieu of flowers, a donation can be made in his name to the Humanitarian Aid, Perpetual Education or Missionary Funds of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints through Bishop Randy Priebe (5815 N. Mt Carroll Dalton Gardens, ID 83815).