Lee was born in Osceola, WI and grew up on a farm outside Mason City. In 1939 he enlisted in the Army Air Corps and was a Pearl Harbor survivor.
In 1944 Lee married his sweetheart Kathryn (Kay) Gustafson.
In 1948 Lee graduated from Iowa State University with a degree in Mechanical Engineering. He worked as an engineer for numerous companies, the first being AMF-Western International in Des Moines.
Survivors include his wife, Kay; sons, Kent (Becky) Anderson of Cedar Falls; Karl (Kathy) Anderson of Ankeny; daughter, Kathryn Arndt of Polk City, seven grandchildren: Joel (Katrina) Anderson, Chicago; Ben (Megan) Anderson, Hudson, IA, Tim (Yeran Li) Ames; Emily (Paul) Shockley, Grand Junction, CO, Elizabeth Arndt, Polk City; John (Jessica) Anderson, Ankeny, Bryan (Emily) Arndt, Clive and two great-grandchildren, Noah and Autumn Anderson.
Lee will be cremated and a memorial service will be held at a later date. Burial will take place at a later date at the Iowa Veterans Cemetery. Memorials can be given to the Animal Rescue League of Des Moines.