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Lee Staheli Obituary
Staheli
(1916 Ð 2008)
Lee Staheli died trying not to. One of the few things he failed to accomplish when he set his mind to do it. His death on April 8, 2008 was the result of a heart attack. He loved life, but the not results of the aging process. He was 91 years old and lived a full and independent life.
Lee was born December 1, 1916 the son of George and Agnes Staheli. His first love was his wife Jean Stewart (Staheli), who died six years and six months earlier. His second love was his family and his third love was horses, rodeos and the western life style. He was a great father, a wonderful instructor on dealing with life and he understood the importance of living gospel principles.
He has two sons; Joe (DeAnn) Staheli of Elgin, Arizona, Max (Reeta) Staheli of Payson and a near son Kimball Anderson of Payson. He has three brothers; Bert, Dean and Gerald who all preceded him in death. He has four sisters; Lucile Simpson, deceased, Wanda Huff, Payson, Julia Rowland, Springville and Barbara (Jack) Hansen, Emmett, Idaho.
As a career Lee was a cowboy first and an ironworker second. He owned and trained horses his entire life. He performed in rodeos, horse shows and western movies. His occupation was steel construction, building bridges, buildings and other structures. He became construction superintendent and his specialty was blast furnace rebuilds.
He was part of a generation that survived the depression, brought victory in World War II, rationing of everything from tires to black pipe and they knew the value of self reliance and independence. They never asked the government for anything, but the opportunity to work. Unemployment insurance, social security and company provided retirement were part of the benefits this generation brought to the country. They knuckled down and did the best they could. Those were tough times, but they were tough people.
Funeral services will be Saturday, April 12, 2008, 11:00 a.m., in the Payson 7th Ward Chapel, 1128 East 100 South, Payson, Friends may call at the Walker Mortuary, 587 South 100 West, Payson, Friday, 6-8:00 p.m. or at the church Saturday, 9:45-10:45 a.m. Burial will be in the Payson City Cemetery with Military Rites accorded by the American Legion, Dist. #4
Many thanks to the staff and doctors at the Mountain View Hospital.
Condolences may be sent to the family at www.walkerfamilymortuary.com
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Robyn Thompson
April 13, 2008
Dear Ones,
I remember Lee as a kind man who not only had a way with horses and animals, but who always had a smile and a story to share. My thoughts and prayers are with Lee's family and friends. He was always generous and warm to me and my family, adopting us into his own. I will always be especially thankful for the influence he and Jean had on my brother Kim and his family. I regret that I am away and not able to share in the celebration of his life. Rest in peace, Lee.
Robyn Anderson Thompson
Shelly Child (Hansen)
April 12, 2008
Dear Staheli Family, I am sorry to hear of your dad's passing. I too have fond memories of both your parents. The visits at their home and at Grandma Hansens' are treasures in my mind. I was living with Grandma when your dad brought Kareen and your mom to see Aunt Georgia. Your dad is someone who left a good example of positive thinking.
Joy Argyle Jasperson
April 11, 2008
I grew up knowing Lee and Jean, and loving his horses and watching him do rope tricks and listening to their stories. Their granddaughter was such a good friend when we were younger, and even though I only got to see her every once in a while in the summer as time went on, I really enjoyed spending time with the Staheli family. I loved having him close to my mother when she moved. I felt like she had one more person I knew well watching over her. Your family is in my heart and prayers.
Carol Sanchez
April 11, 2008
Dear Family,
My memories of Uncle Lee and Aunt Jean are many and all fun - from their monkey, Charlie, to seeing Lee do rope tricks on stage at 86 years old! How I loved his horses. We are on a mission in California, otherwise we would be there with you to show our love and respect to Uncle Lee and to you.
With love,
David and Carol Sanchez
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Kerbey James [Jim] Stewart
April 11, 2008
Lee was one of the great teachers in my life. I believed that Uncle Lee, like my Dad, could build anything. And, of course, he knew everything there was to know about horses. He was a "horse shouter" long before the so called horse whisperer popularlized the observation that some people had special abilities to communicate with his beloved quadripeds. He once told me he never met a bad horse only bad horsemen. Long before I rode with him as a 10 yr old I learned to respect his ability to calm and teach a frightened mare. Who remembers Snooper? Lee laughed when my cousin Brent and I asked him how old he was,[some 45 yrs ago], and said he was too old to be good for anything-that he was older than Metheusala[?sp] which forced me to go look up how old Metheusala was... Lee was like that, teaching, whether we knew it or not. He had a helluva grip, made pretty good tuna sandwhiches, and great lemonade [which I think he spiked with sweet iced tea]!
Susan Lafaele
April 10, 2008
Dear Staheli Family,
You probably wouldn't know me, but I am Howard and Dean Peery's daughter. I remember with fondness all the times my folks talked about Lee and Jean, and all the fun they had. I can imagine their great reunion. My heart felt condolences go to you.
Sincerely,
Susan
Sandra Hummer
April 10, 2008
I had come to know Lee at the Peteetneet. He always had a smile and had a positive outlook on life. I will miss him greatly as a friend and member of the Peteetneet Board.
Janice Reier
April 10, 2008
Dear Joe, Max and family,
Just read Lee's obituary. What a wonderful tribute. I have looked up to your Dad my whole life. As a little girl my imagination ran a bit free as I Imagined the life style of my cowboy uncle. This from a city slicker, (at least according to my Payson cousins). Rog and I will be in North Carolina this weekend visiting a new grandaughter. I would love to be there and will miss everyone as you honor your dad.
Much Love,
Janice
Dawna Stewart
April 10, 2008
Dear Family, I'm so sorry this has happened while I am on my mission as I would like to be there to help celebrate this very special man's life with you as you tell of his great accomplishments as a father, grandfather, husband and friend. It has always been my pleasure to call him my brother-in-law. He has been a wonderful influence to many and I have been proud of his dedication to his responsibilites to God. Love to all of you. I wish I could see all of you, but I will have to be there only in spirit and depend on my girls to be there for you.I know you have the knowledge that he is now with his beautiful sweatheart in a well earned place in paradise as he awaits his assignment in the celestial kingdom. I know you have the comforter with you and pray that God will bless you.
Love Dawna
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