Events

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.