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.