Lester Hubble Pattee, 93

| February 15, 2013 8:00 PM

Lester Hubble Pattee passed away Feb. 11, 2013. Les lived life “to the full” from the time he was born in Emmetsburg, Iowa, on June 15, 1919, to Frank Allen and Fayne Pattee. He was raised in the Rattlesnake Valley, outside Missoula, Mont., and then joined the CCC’s before moving to northern California to work.

In February 1941, Les enlisted in the Army as a Combat Infantryman and served in the “Anti-tank” Regiment in the African and European Theaters during World War II. He received many commendations and was honorably discharged in July 1945.

After the war, Les moved to Pasco, Wash., to join his brother, Bud, in business. There he met and married his one true love, Betty Collins. His three children, Lester (Butch), Rosalind (Rosie) and Merle (Buddy) were born there. It was also in Pasco that Les started flying as a Crop Duster, a perfect fit for his adventurous personality, allowing some great stories that the family still loves sharing.

In the early 1950s Les and Betty moved their family to North Idaho and purchased the Cedar’s Café in Fourth of July Canyon. They also had one of the first privately-owned Buffalo Herds in Idaho. Les also worked for local logging companies and did road construction as I-90 was built through North Idaho. He resumed his love of flying in the ’60s as a flight instructor for Duane Williams in Smelterville, and later flew in Alaska until he had to quit for health reasons.

In 1967 Les and Betty returned to Pasco, where he worked as an electrician for the Kennewick School District until his retirement. He lost Betty in April 2005 – just four months before their 60th wedding anniversary.

Les was an avid hunter, competitive shooter and adventurer and left a legacy of love and loyalty for his entire family. He was undeniably their Hero.

Les was preceded in death by his parents, brother and wife. He is survived by his sisters, Lois and Wilma of Montana; three children; seven grandchildren; 18 great-grandchildren and one great-great-granddaughter.

A funeral service is scheduled at 10 a.m. Saturday, Feb. 23, 2013, with a visitation at 9 a.m., at Yates Funeral Home, 373 E Hayden Ave., Hayden Lake. A reception for friends and family will follow the service. Please visit Lester’s online memorial and sign his guest book at www.yatesfuneralhomes.com.