IRENE BATES LEE

After a short illness, Irene Lee returned to her Heavenly Father on January 7, 2025 at her home surrounded by her family.
Irene Bates Lee was born on December 22, 1947, in Driggs, Idaho, to Ernest Merrill Bates and Thora Irene (Little) Bates. She joined her siblings Lynn and Dee. Later David and Neil were welcomed into the family. Their family moved to Pocatello, then to the Northside of Rupert, and eventually settled in Heyburn, Idaho. Irene graduated from Minico High School in 1966. She then attended nursing school at Cassia Memorial Hospital, obtaining her LPN license.
While attending nursing school, she met Donald William Lee. They were married on November 22, 1968, in the Logan Utah Temple. They lived in Burley, then Pocatello, where they welcomed their first child, Joseph Merrill Lee. They later moved back to the Burley area where their second child, a daughter Nicole Lee was born.
Irene worked at Cassia Memorial Hospital for a few years before joining the offices of Dr. Dalley and Dr. Pates. She continued working with Dr. Pates until Dr. Dalley retired in 1986. Dr. Saurey then joined Dr. Pates in the practice, and Irene continued working with them until Dr. Pates passed away. She remained Dr. Saurey’s nurse until her retirement in 2019.
Irene was an active member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints and served in various callings over the years. She enjoyed spending time with her grandchildren, gardening, canning, sewing, quilting, traveling, crocheting, knitting, painting, stained glass, and ceramics.
She was preceded in death by her parents, her brothers Lynn and Dee Bates, and her grandson Kyle Lee. She leaves behind her husband, brothers David and Neil, children Joseph (Andrea) Lee and Nicole (Chris) Gee, grandchildren Brittany (Aaron) Freeman, Joshua (Selina) Lee, Jennifer Lee, Jessica Gee, Stephanie Gee, and Samantha Gee, two great-granddaughters, Alexandra and Emma Freeman and many nieces and nephews.
In honoring her request, there will be no funeral service. A family prayer will be held at 1:00 pm at Hansen Mortuary in Rupert, Idaho with a procession to Gem Memorial Gardens in Burley, Idaho for a graveside service. Arrangements are under the direction of Joel Heward Hansen Mortuary.

Obituary submitted by Judy Graham Barnes.