A memorial service for Lee E. Evans, 52, of Estherville, will be held at 11 a.m., Thursday, Aug. 20, 2026, at Immanuel Lutheran Church in Spirit Lake with the Rev. Paul Dare officiating. Interment will be at East Side Memorial Cemetery, Estherville. Visitation was held Wednesday at the Henry-Olson Funeral Chapel in Estherville. Lee passed away on Monday, Aug. 10, 2026, at his home in Estherville.
Lee Edward Evans, son of Warren and Patricia (Meehan) Evans was born December 15, 1973, in Estherville, Iowa. Lee graduated from Estherville High School in 1992 and went on to Iowa Lakes Community College, where he played football and baseball. He transferred to Mankato State University and graduated in 1997 with his education degree and coaching endorsement.
On July 26, 1997, he was united in marriage to Kieja Puhrman at Immanuel Lutheran Church in Spirit Lake, Iowa. After a few years in Minnesota the couple moved to Belmond, Iowa where Lee started his teaching and coaching career and started a family welcoming three children, Kendall, Brenna and Blake. The couple moved to Estherville to raise their family. Lee continued to teach 6th grade math and science and coach four sports. He most recently was the Student Success Coordinator at the middle school and head baseball coach for the ELC Midgets.
Whether surrounded by lifelong family and friends or meeting someone for the first time, he was the life of the party leaving people smiling and laughing. His quick wit and unforgettable humor would brighten every room. He had a way of making everyone feel welcome and turning ordinary moments into lasting memories. Lee had a gift of bringing out the best in others. Patient, compassionate and endlessly encouraging, he believed every person, student and athlete deserved someone who believed in them. He built relationships that lasted far beyond his home, classroom and playing field, earning the respect, admiration and friendship of countless people. He found peace and joy by the water with a fishing pole in his hand. Spending time with family almost always included a game of cribbage. Supporting his children in their sports and activities was his favorite thing to do. He loved cheering on the ELC Midgets, Hawkeyes, Dodgers and Packers. While he was a fierce competitor, he never lost sight of what mattered most. His greatest team was his family. He loved deeply and put those he loved above himself. Lee was a member of Trinity Lutheran Church in Estherville. He was honored to be a two-time District Coach of the Year, selected to coach the All-Star Series in 2022 and made baseball state appearances in 2008, 2017, 2018 and state runner up in 2022 with his son by his side on the playing field and his girls in the stands as their biggest fans. He was a member of the Iowa High School Baseball Coaches Association, on the Board of Directors and selected to the Ratings Committee. Lee was recently inducted into the ELC Booster Club Hall of Fame.
His legacy lives on in every moment shared, every lesson taught, every athlete encouraged and every laugh shared. Though he will be deeply missed, his influence will continue to be felt in the countless lives he touched and a blessing to those who loved him.
Lee is survived by his wife, Kieja; his children, Kendall Halbur (Cris), Brenna Evans (Chase Smith) and Blake Evans; his mother, Pat; his siblings, Helen Trembly (Junior); Cheryl DeVore (Greg) and Paul Evans (Gina); father and mother-in-law, Dennis and Nancy Puhrman; sisters-in-law, Paige (Tim) Malven, Kim (Jamie) Renken and nieces and nephews, Justin, Jordan, Jake, Max, Kayla, Emma, Alex, Kendra, Grant, Mitchell, Miah, Maci, Rylee, Matthew and Cole.
He has been preceded in death by his father, Warren Evans and grandparents, Floyd and Emma Mae Evans and Edward and Hannah Meehan and many loved, aunts, uncles and cousins.
In lieu of flowers, the family prefers memorials be given to go towards a future project at the ELC baseball field or for an ELC scholarship in Lee’s memory. Online condolences may be left at henryolsonfuneral.com.
