LeRoy “Lee” Omar Aftem, 84, of Minot, ND, passed away on Thursday, November 12, 2020, in his home.
Lee was born on April 27, 1936, on the family farm in Scandia Township, Bottineau County, ND, the fourth or five children to Gina (Brenden) and Oscar Melvin Aftem. Lee attended a small country school until he began high school in Souris, ND in 1950. Lee graduated with a class of nine in 1954.
He enlisted in the US Navy after graduation and started his naval service in July 14, 1954. He spent one year in Okinawa, Japan and was assigned the Beachmasters as a Radioman 3rd Class. Lee returned to the Naval Base San Diego and concluded his naval service on June 11, 1958. He was proud to serve as a sailor.
Lee enrolled in the University of Colorado in the fall. He had numerous jobs as a salesman, bartender and factory employee in Denver, Colorado while going to college. He lived with his sister’s family, Joanne and “Rip” Dranselka, during most of his college years.
Lee returned to North Dakota and he married Lorraine Pfeifer, of Orrin, ND on December 2, 1967, and started a family in 1971 with the birth of daughter, Kendra Lee.
In 1963 he found employment as a Realty Officer in Real Estate at the Minot Air Force Base. He loved the Real Estate office and his job, and had the experience of training many other Realty Officers throughout numerous SAC air bases. He served in the Realty office until 1983, when he transferred to Manager of Base Housing. He enjoyed the challenge of the Housing department and held pride in naming the Sakakawea Inn. In 1985 he received First Place as the SAC Services Civilian Manager. In 1986 Lee retired with 23 years of Civil Service.
They started their own business and purchased a few candy vending machines in the fall of 1969. Over the years the business grew into L & L Vending and 1200 machines in MT, ND, and SD. After vending for 31 years, the business was sold in 2000. One special employee, Dan Henes, became a business partner and life-long friend.
After full retirement in 2000, Lee became a member of the Minot Shrine Club. He loved the circus and helping children. One of his proudest moments was being the Circus President in 2004 and 2005. He continued to support the circus and other events until 2017, when he stopped due to health issues.
Lee also belonged to several fraternal organizations and served Christ Lutheran Church. He volunteered hauling pastries and lefse to the Norsk Hostfest for 26 years. He was active in Disabled American Veterans #4 until COVID restricted meetings.
Lee enjoyed hunting, camping, boating and fishing. For 10 years he camped at Four Bears Campground in New Town, ND; enjoying he best walleye fishing, and making friends. He also enjoyed supporting his grandchildren in their activities. Lee had a passion for car racing and attended the Nodak Speedway starting in the 1970s. This past summer he watched many Late Model dirt track races online with his family.
Lee’s loving family includes: Wife, Lorraine, Minot; Daughter, Kendra (Mike) Clementich, Minot; Grandchildren, Lexi Clementich and Josh Clementich; Brother, Daniel (Gwen) Aftem; and numerous nieces and nephews also survive.
He was preceded in death by parents; brother, Merle (Christine) Aftem; sisters, Gloria Arneson, and Joanne (Melvin) Dranselka; and sister-in-law, Bernadine (Jim) Givens.
Thompson-Larson Funeral Home
Lee was born on April 27, 1936, on the family farm in Scandia Township, Bottineau County, ND, the fourth or five children to Gina (Brenden) and Oscar Melvin Aftem. Lee attended a small country school until he began high school in Souris, ND in 1950. Lee graduated with a class of nine in 1954.
He enlisted in the US Navy after graduation and started his naval service in July 14, 1954. He spent one year in Okinawa, Japan and was assigned the Beachmasters as a Radioman 3rd Class. Lee returned to the Naval Base San Diego and concluded his naval service on June 11, 1958. He was proud to serve as a sailor.
Lee enrolled in the University of Colorado in the fall. He had numerous jobs as a salesman, bartender and factory employee in Denver, Colorado while going to college. He lived with his sister’s family, Joanne and “Rip” Dranselka, during most of his college years.
Lee returned to North Dakota and he married Lorraine Pfeifer, of Orrin, ND on December 2, 1967, and started a family in 1971 with the birth of daughter, Kendra Lee.
In 1963 he found employment as a Realty Officer in Real Estate at the Minot Air Force Base. He loved the Real Estate office and his job, and had the experience of training many other Realty Officers throughout numerous SAC air bases. He served in the Realty office until 1983, when he transferred to Manager of Base Housing. He enjoyed the challenge of the Housing department and held pride in naming the Sakakawea Inn. In 1985 he received First Place as the SAC Services Civilian Manager. In 1986 Lee retired with 23 years of Civil Service.
They started their own business and purchased a few candy vending machines in the fall of 1969. Over the years the business grew into L & L Vending and 1200 machines in MT, ND, and SD. After vending for 31 years, the business was sold in 2000. One special employee, Dan Henes, became a business partner and life-long friend.
After full retirement in 2000, Lee became a member of the Minot Shrine Club. He loved the circus and helping children. One of his proudest moments was being the Circus President in 2004 and 2005. He continued to support the circus and other events until 2017, when he stopped due to health issues.
Lee also belonged to several fraternal organizations and served Christ Lutheran Church. He volunteered hauling pastries and lefse to the Norsk Hostfest for 26 years. He was active in Disabled American Veterans #4 until COVID restricted meetings.
Lee enjoyed hunting, camping, boating and fishing. For 10 years he camped at Four Bears Campground in New Town, ND; enjoying he best walleye fishing, and making friends. He also enjoyed supporting his grandchildren in their activities. Lee had a passion for car racing and attended the Nodak Speedway starting in the 1970s. This past summer he watched many Late Model dirt track races online with his family.
Lee’s loving family includes: Wife, Lorraine, Minot; Daughter, Kendra (Mike) Clementich, Minot; Grandchildren, Lexi Clementich and Josh Clementich; Brother, Daniel (Gwen) Aftem; and numerous nieces and nephews also survive.
He was preceded in death by parents; brother, Merle (Christine) Aftem; sisters, Gloria Arneson, and Joanne (Melvin) Dranselka; and sister-in-law, Bernadine (Jim) Givens.
Thompson-Larson Funeral Home
LeRoy “Lee” Omar Aftem, 84, of Minot, ND, passed away on Thursday, November 12, 2020, in his home.
Lee was born on April 27, 1936, on the family farm in Scandia Township, Bottineau County, ND, the fourth or five children to Gina (Brenden) and Oscar Melvin Aftem. Lee attended a small country school until he began high school in Souris, ND in 1950. Lee graduated with a class of nine in 1954.
He enlisted in the US Navy after graduation and started his naval service in July 14, 1954. He spent one year in Okinawa, Japan and was assigned the Beachmasters as a Radioman 3rd Class. Lee returned to the Naval Base San Diego and concluded his naval service on June 11, 1958. He was proud to serve as a sailor.
Lee enrolled in the University of Colorado in the fall. He had numerous jobs as a salesman, bartender and factory employee in Denver, Colorado while going to college. He lived with his sister’s family, Joanne and “Rip” Dranselka, during most of his college years.
Lee returned to North Dakota and he married Lorraine Pfeifer, of Orrin, ND on December 2, 1967, and started a family in 1971 with the birth of daughter, Kendra Lee.
In 1963 he found employment as a Realty Officer in Real Estate at the Minot Air Force Base. He loved the Real Estate office and his job, and had the experience of training many other Realty Officers throughout numerous SAC air bases. He served in the Realty office until 1983, when he transferred to Manager of Base Housing. He enjoyed the challenge of the Housing department and held pride in naming the Sakakawea Inn. In 1985 he received First Place as the SAC Services Civilian Manager. In 1986 Lee retired with 23 years of Civil Service.
They started their own business and purchased a few candy vending machines in the fall of 1969. Over the years the business grew into L & L Vending and 1200 machines in MT, ND, and SD. After vending for 31 years, the business was sold in 2000. One special employee, Dan Henes, became a business partner and life-long friend.
After full retirement in 2000, Lee became a member of the Minot Shrine Club. He loved the circus and helping children. One of his proudest moments was being the Circus President in 2004 and 2005. He continued to support the circus and other events until 2017, when he stopped due to health issues.
Lee also belonged to several fraternal organizations and served Christ Lutheran Church. He volunteered hauling pastries and lefse to the Norsk Hostfest for 26 years. He was active in Disabled American Veterans #4 until COVID restricted meetings.
Lee enjoyed hunting, camping, boating and fishing. For 10 years he camped at Four Bears Campground in New Town, ND; enjoying he best walleye fishing, and making friends. He also enjoyed supporting his grandchildren in their activities. Lee had a passion for car racing and attended the Nodak Speedway starting in the 1970s. This past summer he watched many Late Model dirt track races online with his family.
Lee’s loving family includes: Wife, Lorraine, Minot; Daughter, Kendra (Mike) Clementich, Minot; Grandchildren, Lexi Clementich and Josh Clementich; Brother, Daniel (Gwen) Aftem; and numerous nieces and nephews also survive.
He was preceded in death by parents; brother, Merle (Christine) Aftem; sisters, Gloria Arneson, and Joanne (Melvin) Dranselka; and sister-in-law, Bernadine (Jim) Givens.
Thompson-Larson Funeral Home
Lee was born on April 27, 1936, on the family farm in Scandia Township, Bottineau County, ND, the fourth or five children to Gina (Brenden) and Oscar Melvin Aftem. Lee attended a small country school until he began high school in Souris, ND in 1950. Lee graduated with a class of nine in 1954.
He enlisted in the US Navy after graduation and started his naval service in July 14, 1954. He spent one year in Okinawa, Japan and was assigned the Beachmasters as a Radioman 3rd Class. Lee returned to the Naval Base San Diego and concluded his naval service on June 11, 1958. He was proud to serve as a sailor.
Lee enrolled in the University of Colorado in the fall. He had numerous jobs as a salesman, bartender and factory employee in Denver, Colorado while going to college. He lived with his sister’s family, Joanne and “Rip” Dranselka, during most of his college years.
Lee returned to North Dakota and he married Lorraine Pfeifer, of Orrin, ND on December 2, 1967, and started a family in 1971 with the birth of daughter, Kendra Lee.
In 1963 he found employment as a Realty Officer in Real Estate at the Minot Air Force Base. He loved the Real Estate office and his job, and had the experience of training many other Realty Officers throughout numerous SAC air bases. He served in the Realty office until 1983, when he transferred to Manager of Base Housing. He enjoyed the challenge of the Housing department and held pride in naming the Sakakawea Inn. In 1985 he received First Place as the SAC Services Civilian Manager. In 1986 Lee retired with 23 years of Civil Service.
They started their own business and purchased a few candy vending machines in the fall of 1969. Over the years the business grew into L & L Vending and 1200 machines in MT, ND, and SD. After vending for 31 years, the business was sold in 2000. One special employee, Dan Henes, became a business partner and life-long friend.
After full retirement in 2000, Lee became a member of the Minot Shrine Club. He loved the circus and helping children. One of his proudest moments was being the Circus President in 2004 and 2005. He continued to support the circus and other events until 2017, when he stopped due to health issues.
Lee also belonged to several fraternal organizations and served Christ Lutheran Church. He volunteered hauling pastries and lefse to the Norsk Hostfest for 26 years. He was active in Disabled American Veterans #4 until COVID restricted meetings.
Lee enjoyed hunting, camping, boating and fishing. For 10 years he camped at Four Bears Campground in New Town, ND; enjoying he best walleye fishing, and making friends. He also enjoyed supporting his grandchildren in their activities. Lee had a passion for car racing and attended the Nodak Speedway starting in the 1970s. This past summer he watched many Late Model dirt track races online with his family.
Lee’s loving family includes: Wife, Lorraine, Minot; Daughter, Kendra (Mike) Clementich, Minot; Grandchildren, Lexi Clementich and Josh Clementich; Brother, Daniel (Gwen) Aftem; and numerous nieces and nephews also survive.
He was preceded in death by parents; brother, Merle (Christine) Aftem; sisters, Gloria Arneson, and Joanne (Melvin) Dranselka; and sister-in-law, Bernadine (Jim) Givens.
Thompson-Larson Funeral Home
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