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Clifton Lee

July 2, 1947-Sept. 7, 2020

Clifton Lee, 73, Minot,

formerly of Grenora, died

Monday, September 7,

2020 in his home.

Clifton was born July 2,

1947, in Renton, Washing-ton, to Hoyt and Mary

(McKay) Lee. He was

raised in Bottineau, where

he graduated from high

school in 1965. Clifton at-

tended the School of

Forestry and graduated

from Valley City State

College. He continued his

education at NDSU by ob-

taining his Master’s in

Education.

He married Barbara

Swanson on August 9,

1969, in First Lutheran

Church of Bottineau. Clif-

ton taught and coached in

several schools and was

superintendent in Wil-

drose and Grenora for the

last 30 years before his re-

tirement. The family

moved to Minot in 2004,

where he built their

home. He continued in

education while in Minot

and often served as a sub-

stitute teacher.

Clifton was an avid

hunter and fisherman. He

loved spending time at

their cabin on Lake Saka-

kawea. In the summer he

enjoyed golfing with his

buddies. He did a lot of

wood working, making

many pieces of furniture

over the years. He was a

fan of the Vikings, Twins,

and NDSU Bison.

He was so proud of his

children and grandchil-

dren; he was always wil-

ling to share all of their

accomplishments with

anyone.

Clifton is survived by

his wife of 51 years, Bar-

bara; Son, Travis (Aman-

da) Lee, Minot; Daughter,

Kristinn (Mark) Hiatt, Kin-

dred; Grandchildren,

Brooke and Jacob Hiatt,

Tatum and Payten Lee;

Sister, Barbara (Jeff)

Whalen, Ventura, CA;

Brothers-in-law, Marc

Swanson, Bottineau, and

Scott (Kris) Swanson,

Boise, ID; Sister-in-law,

Joette Swanson, Las Ve-

gas, NV; along with his

nieces and nephews.

He was preceded in

death by his father, Hoyt;

mother and stepfather,

Mary and Oscar Granum;

mother- and father-in-law,

Bedvi and Glenn Swan-

son; and his brother-in-

law, Greg Swanson.

A memorial service will

be held at a later date.

Memorials are pre-

ferred to the ALS Founda-

tion-Minnesota, North

Dakota, South Dakota

Chapter, 1919 University

Ave W Ste. 175, St Paul,

MN 55104.

Memories and con-

dolences can be shared at

www.thomasfamily

funeralhome.com.