Matthew Lee

On the morning of January 1, 2016, Matthew Lee, age 62, passed away due to a cardiovascular incident.  Matt was born on May 28, 1953 in Minneapolis, Minnesota to his loving parents Edwin Lee and Mary Lee Clark.

Before following the sunshine and warm weather to southern California, Matt lived his first 8 years with his family on the farm in Minnesota.  He was proud to have learned to drive a tractor by the mature age of 6.  To hear it be told, it was the sort of place one had to walk miles to and from school, in snow and uphill both directions.  During his adolescence, Matt enjoyed swimming and was an accomplished cross-country runner.  He later joined the army and proudly served in Germany during the Vietnam Conflict.

In 1995, Matt moved his family to Wallace, Idaho and began work at the Shoshone Medical Center.  He greatly valued being a Respiratory Therapist and took pride in his other various roles working in the hospital for the last twenty years.

Over the years, Matt took pleasure in many hobbies.  He was an excellent bowler and even ran a league with colleagues for a time.  He was a talented artist and gifted carpenter and created many treasures for his family.  Matt was a movie buff and could win any game he tried his hand at.  He was also passionate about dancing.  Matt began taking ballroom dance classes and enjoyed it so much and became so good that he eventually taught classes to other enthusiasts.  He certainly made his daughter look good on her wedding day.

Matt was a cherished father, son, brother, husband and friend.  Those who knew him can tell of his wit, charm and sincerity.  He will be sorely missed.

Matt was preceded in death by his father Edwin Lee; mother-in-law Eleanora “Joy” Bell, and brother-in-law Mike Holmstedt.

Matt is survived by his wife Colleen Bell-Lee; two children Jarod Lee, and Brittany Lee-Hillstrom (Andy), and stepson Patrick Walsh; his mother Mary Lee Clark, stepfather Howard Clark; three younger siblings Nancy Lee, Weston Lee, Rustin Lee (Keli), brother-in-law Shaun Bell; nieces and nephews Ronikae Achord, Jakob Bell, Zachary Lee, Colton Lee, and Mackenzie Lee.

There will be a memorial service held at Shoshone Funeral Services at 106 S. Main Street, Kellogg, Idaho on Tuesday, January 19, 2016 at 2:00 P.M.

Matt donated to the Shoshone Medical Center Foundation every paycheck.  The family suggests that memorial donations may be made to this charity in his name-Shoshone Medical Center Foundation, 25 Jacobs Gulch, Kellogg, Idaho 83837.

SHOSHONE FUNERAL SERVICES & CREMATORY KELLOGG, IDAHO is entrusted with funeral arrangements.