Brian Robert Lee

1954 - 2017

BORN

1954

DIED

2017

About

University of Minnesota

Brian Lee Obituary

Brian Robert Lee, 63

St. Cloud

Feb. 12, 1954 - Aug. 5, 2017

Brian Robert Lee, 63, of St. Cloud died Saturday, Aug. 5, 2017 at home after a short battle with cancer.

It was a premature ending to a vibrant life filled with love and laughter and

unlikely escapades. Brian has passed, but that legacy and life force remain.

He is survived by his wife Jackie, children Thomas, Stephanie, Erik Theisen, Dylan Theisen (Kayshia Kris), and grandson Spencer Theisen, "little brothers" Clinton (Donnell) and Floyd, and many long-time friends in St. Cloud and the Twin Cities. He was preceded in death by parents Clinton and Sally Lee, and previously married to Beth (nee Lyons).

Brian was born Feb. 12, 1954, and as some of his friends liked to say, they broke the mold on this one - and then beat up the mold-maker. His irreverent sense of humor, penchant for fun and unique personality were the source of dozens of hilarious stories about Brian, and most of them are true.

He grew up in Minneapolis and Edina and studied at the University of Minnesota in Duluth and the Twin Cities. He moved his family to Saint Cloud in 1988 and worked at Weeres Industries for many years in sales and then as a company officer.

In 2008 Brian founded and operated The White Horse restaurant in St. Cloud, which became the vetting grounds for many of those stories. Customers loved the guy behind the bar with the old-school glasses, white shirt and devious smile. His prized, tattered leather jacket now overlooks the bar where Brian and his friends gathered to celebrate life.

Brian was an avid traveler who especially liked visiting the Boundary Waters Canoe Area Wilderness, the mountain West and Southeast Asia.

He was unconditionally generous with his time and attention, and we all will miss his wit and unique sense of humor.

A memorial gathering celebrating his life will be held 4-8 p.m. Thursday, Aug. 24 at 912 Regency Plaza in St. Cloud, with hors d'oeuvres and a program celebrating Brian at 6 p.m. If you knew Brian, or you know someone who loved Brian, we truly hope to see you there.

Brian has gifted himself to the University of Minnesota Anatomy Bequest Program. Memorials to Planned Parenthood and the St. Cloud Area Somali Salvation Organization are preferred.

To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.

Published by St. Cloud Times on Aug. 13, 2017.

Memories and Condolences
for Brian Lee

Sponsored by the St. Cloud Times.

7 Entries

Megan Montgomery

August 23, 2017

I knew Brian as Phlegm Man through our fun mutual money tracking hobby. I enjoyed his humor and stories. He sounds like he was well loved. Already missing him.

Dave Freylack

August 14, 2017

I knew Brian, he was my pontoon rep from Weeres. The first time I meet him he said, "Where's the Mustard ribs at!" I knew the Mustard restaurant all over Des Moines, I never ask him, how did you know the Mustard ribs at! The next time or two I took him to "BIG Daddy's BBQ" they had the hottest sauce EVER. We got some ribs from Big Daddy, he gave us the hottest ever! We, hot sauce, with toothpick, lay on the ribs, WOW! I was so hot , Brian was sweating! He loved ribbbbsssss! I loved Brian so much, miss him! Dave Freylack

Kim Brandell

August 14, 2017

I met Brian in 1989, at the Boat Show. I bought a boat from Brian and we became friends, playing rotisserie sports together. He was always happy, always smiled, always a challenge in the way fun friends are. I think he liked me a lot, but when I think about it, he liked my wife a lot and my daughter (who was one at the time) a lot. I think he just liked everyone a lot, and maybe that's why everyone liked him. He was fun and funny, charmed and charming, full of life and full of s---. A great guy. My condolences to his family. He will be missed.

Sally Harren

August 14, 2017

Sending Brian's family my sympathy. I played with Brian on the Voodoo Dolls trivia team. Will never forget that golden voice on the phones coming up with answers from out of the blue. Fond memories!

Pam Imholte

August 14, 2017

Brian was always smiling and joking around..loved his quick wit and comebacks!

Sasha Stoeckel

August 13, 2017

Brian always greeted us with a smile when we came into the White Horse. The White Horse was a date night for me and my ex husband and some where to chat and catch up with friends. Brian would remember us when we came in and at the time my ex husband looked like a person that you wouldn't approach or maybe in a bad mood? But Brian would always have us laughing. One night he even referred to my ex husband as a cupcake, because he wanted him to not take himself so serious. I can't remember for sure, but we were all laughing. Always a good time there always good service and I was amazed that with all the customers, Brian still remembered me after the divorce when I came in with a friend. He was truly a great guy and will be missed by many.

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