ESTHERVILLE, IOWA – Lee Edward Evans, 52, of Estherville, died Monday, August 10, 2026, at his home.
A memorial service will be held at 11 a.m. Thursday, August 20, 2026, at Immanuel Lutheran Church in Spirit Lake. A celebration of life and time for sharing memories will follow during a luncheon. Memorial visitation will be held from 4 to 8 p.m. Wednesday, August 19, at Henry-Olson Funeral Chapel in Estherville. No burial or interment has been announced.
Lee was born December 15, 1973, in Estherville to Warren and Patricia Meehan Evans. He graduated from Estherville High School in 1992 and played football and baseball at Iowa Lakes Community College. He later attended Mankato State University, earning an education degree and coaching endorsement in 1997.
Lee married Kieja Puhrman on July 26, 1997, at Immanuel Lutheran Church. After spending several years in Minnesota, they moved to Belmond, where Lee began his teaching and coaching career and the couple started their family. They later returned to Estherville to raise their three children.
During his career, Lee taught sixth-grade math and science and coached four sports. He most recently served as student success coordinator at the middle school and head baseball coach for the Estherville Lincoln Central Midgets.
Lee was twice named District Coach of the Year and was selected to coach in the 2022 All-Star Series. His baseball teams reached the state tournament in 2008, 2017 and 2018 and finished as state runners-up in 2022. He served with the Iowa High School Baseball Coaches Association and was recently inducted into the ELC Booster Club Hall of Fame.
Beyond his victories and honors, Lee was valued for the encouragement he gave students and athletes. His humor, patience and welcoming personality helped him build relationships that continued long after young people left his classroom or playing field.
Lee enjoyed fishing, playing cribbage and supporting his children in their activities. He cheered for the ELC Midgets, Iowa Hawkeyes, Los Angeles Dodgers and Green Bay Packers. He was a member of Trinity Lutheran Church in Estherville.
Survivors include his wife, Kieja; children Kendall Halbur and her husband, Cris, Brenna Evans and Chase Smith, and Blake Evans; his mother, Pat; siblings Helen Trembly and her husband, Junior, Cheryl DeVore and her husband, Greg, and Paul Evans and his wife, Gina; parents-in-law Dennis and Nancy Puhrman; sisters-in-law Paige Malven and her husband, Tim, and Kim Renken and her husband, Jamie; and many nieces, nephews, relatives, students, athletes and friends.
He was preceded in death by his father, Warren Evans; grandparents Floyd and Emma Mae Evans and Edward and Hannah Meehan; and other relatives.
In lieu of flowers, the family prefers memorial contributions toward a future project at the ELC baseball field or an ELC scholarship established in Lee’s memory.
Henry-Olson Funeral Home and Crematory is handling arrangements. To read more and see the full obituary, please click here.
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