Delores Lee

Delores Lee, 96, passed away peacefully in her sleep on Wednesday, March 18, 2026, at her residence with loved ones by her side. Born on December 8, 1929, in Drake, North Dakota, to Mary (Abraham) and Joseph Kellel, she was the youngest of eight children. Delores attended Drake High School, graduating with the class of 1947. Soon after graduation, she met her "one and only," Mr. Elmer Gerhard Lee Jr. of Turtle Lake, North Dakota. The two tied the knot on October 10, 1948, at Trinity Lutheran Church in Bismarck. They would go on to have two sons, Gregory Alan (born August 30, 1949) and Barry Joseph (born March 9, 1954). In 1962, Missoula became home. She and Elmer became lifelong, dedicated Griz fans; they could often be found at countless sporting events, sharing a mutual passion for the game. Delores and Elmer became a beloved part of the Missoula community as the owners and operators of The Big Sky, a local drive-in burger joint. Later, Delores brought her welcoming presence to Russell Elementary School, where she served as the school secretary. She forever cherished those years, making it her purpose to have a meaningful impact on every student she met—just as those students did for her. She spoke often of her time at Russell, reminiscing fondly about the children she so dearly adored.

Delores was a true spitfire who never hesitated to tell it exactly like it was. She lived her life fiercely independent and unapologetically herself. If she had an opinion, you were going to hear about it—and if your feelings got bruised along the way, her friends and family knew better than to take it personally. Most of the time, anyway! Even then, you knew better than to expect an apology. That was simply her unique, unfiltered brand of love; her words were often blunt, but never meant to cause harm. Beneath that sometimes ornery exterior was a profoundly caring woman who was always eager to help anyone in need. Delores loved the town she spent most of her life in and believed strongly in giving back. She volunteered frequently with Habitat for Humanity and was a devoted member of Immanuel Lutheran Church, where she attended services every Sunday without fail. Her generosity was shared in abundance with anyone less fortunate than herself.

An avid outdoorswoman, Delores’s greatest joy was hiking in the mountains every chance she got. Being in nature was her calling; it was where she felt most whole. Her adventures took her on trails across Montana, Arizona, Hawaii, California, and Washington, just to name a few. At home in Missoula, she and her friends were a familiar sight, faithfully walking six miles up the South Hills every single morning. The highlight of her later life was the birth of her only grandson, Benjamin Joseph Lee, son of Barry Joseph Lee. With Barry and Benjamin residing in Mesa, Arizona, Delores and Elmer spent six months of the year wintering there to be close to them. They didn’t skip a beat: Delores chaperoned every field trip, cheered from every sideline, and built a lifetime of memories. Benjamin was her pride and joy, and to him, she was the best grandma he could have ever asked for. Barry and Benjamin spent every summer in Montana with Delores and Elmer, embarking on every adventure possible. Together, they took the boat fishing on the Missouri River, visited Glacier National Park, picked cherries at Flathead Lake, and cooked her most prized Arabic dish, Kibbeh. The bond Delores and Benjamin shared was undeniable, immeasurable, and unbreakable—and so it remained until her very last day.

Delores is survived by her son, Gregory Alan Lee, and her grandson, Benjamin Joseph Lee, both of whom reside in Missoula, Montana.

She was preceded in death by her parents, Mary and Joseph Kellel; all seven of her older siblings, of whom she was the last surviving; her husband, Elmer Lee; and her youngest son, Barry Joseph Lee.

"Every life is noted and is cherished, and nothing loved is ever lost or perished." — Madeleine L’Engle