Obituary: Lee, Joyce
Age 85
Joyce Kaestner Lee passed away Friday, February 10, 2012 at Providence Sacred Heart Medical Center in Spokane, Washington following a brief illness.
Though 85 years old, her family and friends feel she left us much too soon.
.
.
Joyce was born in Lamoni, Iowa October 10, 1926 to Hyrum Henry and Iola Geneva Hicks Kaestner.
She was joined by brother, Ward, five years later.
Her mother taught at the local high school and her father drove a transport truck.
Joyce’s father died in 1936 as a result of a vehicle accident.
The family moved to Oskaloosa, Iowa where Joyce worked as a journalist at the Oskaloosa Herald.
It was there that she met Donald Christiansen whom she married in 1948.
Son Stephen was born in June of 1951 and Don was killed in the Korean Conflict in September of 1951.
Joyce received her Bachelor’s degree from Iowa State University in Home Economics and Applied Arts.
While at Iowa State, Joyce studied extensively under the direct supervision of the renowned sculptor, Christian Peterson, who was a student of Auguste Rodin.
In 1954 she entered the Master of Fine Arts Program at the University of Iowa.
In Iowa City she met Willoughby (Bill) A. Lee, who she married in 1956.
A loving wife to Bill, with whom she shared a full and active life, Joyce balanced a multitude of life experiences with tireless grace and poise.
Together they managed their business, Lee Construction, and had four children.
They moved to Coeur d’ Alene, Idaho in 1972 and then to Spokane a few years later.
Joyce and Bill continued the construction business and developed housing properties into a rental enterprise.
Joyce actively managed the business until her death.
Joyce and Bill cherished each day of the 56 years in their partnership of marriage.
Surviving Joyce is her husband Bill, her children Stephen (Susan) Lee of Solon, Iowa, Rebecca (Chuck) Roseberry of Spokane, Jan Thompson of Spokane, Thomas Lee of Seattle, WA, and Michael Lee of Spokane.
Her fifteen grandchildren are Samuel Lee, Amy (Stephen) Ashbacker, Kelvin Lee, Jesse Roseberry, Beth Anne Roseberry, Samuel Thompson, Jacob Roseberry, Andrew Roseberry, Maggie Thompson, Worth Roseberry, Christian Roseberry, John Paul Roseberry, Elijah Roseberry, Sarah Roseberry, and Edna Roseberry.
Her great-grandchildren are Milo, Marin, and Rowan Ashbacker.
Joyce’s younger brother, Ward Kaestner, mother and father preceded her in death.
Memorial Services will be held on Saturday, February 18, at 10:00 am, with a reception following at the funeral home.
A private burial at Riverview Cemetery in Coeur d’ Alene, Idaho, will follow.
An open house at the home of Bill Lee, 3922 S. Lamonte, Spokane WA, will be held Sunday February 19th, from 10 am to 12 noon.
Memorials may be made to: The Iowa Arts Council, 600 E. Locust, Des Moines, IA 50319.
Please visit Joyce’s online tribute and leave a condolence at www.hennesseyfuneralhomes.com. Arrangements by: