Lee M. Brooks
(January 6, 1968 - October 21, 2011)

Lee Mathew Brooks, 43, Thompson, ND, died Friday, Oct 21, 2011 at Altru Hospital, Grand Forks, ND after an aggressive 2 ½ year battle against Multiple Myeloma. He was surrounded by his three sons, family members and close friends. He will be greatly missed but we know he will be watching over us and will always be in our hearts and memories.

Lee was born January 6, 1968 to Howard and Pauline (McDonald) Brooks in Bowman, ND. He grew up on the family ranch northwest of Rhame, ND where he tolerated growing up with five older siblings. He was active in 4-H, FFA, sports, and band and received many awards for his participation in music, scholarship, and science projects. Lee was a 1986 graduate of Rhame High School and received his bachelor's in Electrical Engineering and a master's in Business Administration from North Dakota State University, Fargo, ND. Lee was an avid Bison fan his entire life and enjoyed the Minnesota Twins and Vikings, even when the teams weren't doing so well.

Lee married another NDSU electrical engineer, Kristi Zeinstra, Casselton, ND, after their college graduation in 1991. The couple had three awesome sons, Benjamin, Joshua, and Isaac. Family was very important to Lee and his sons were his pride and joy and the center of his universe. Lee's professional career as a computer software engineer led to his employment with General Motors, Flint, MI, John Deere, Waterloo, IA, and Phoenix International, Fargo, ND. While at Phoenix and living in W. Fargo, Lee coached W. Fargo youth soccer and attended Bethel Church, Fargo, ND with his family. In late 2010. Lee purchased a home and moved to Thompson, ND so he could spend more time with his sons.

Lee is survived by his sons Benjamin (16), Joshua (14) and Isaac (11) of Thompson, ND, his parents Howard and Pauline Brooks, Bowman, ND, sisters Cheryl, Grand Forks, ND and Tracy Kralicek (Dave Lunn), Mesa, AZ, and brother Rob (Holly), Rhame, ND, Also mourning Lee's passing are his sister-in-law Kathy Brooks-Rauscher (Steve Rauscher), Lincoln, NE, and his special friend Tammy Sykes and her children (Anne and Matthew), Fertile, MN, as well as his God-children Dana Kralicek, and Hank Brooks, nieces Larissa (Jaron Reisenhauer), Kaitlin, Jordan, Karin, Kelly, and Dana, and nephew Hank, aunts, uncles, cousins, friends, colleagues and Sazh, the cat.

Lee was preceded in death by a sister (Dianne), a brother (James), a brother-in-law (Lee Kralicek), and maternal and paternal grandparents.

Funeral services are scheduled for 10 AM on Friday, October 28, 2011 at St. Charles Catholic Church, Bowman, ND. Burial will follow the service at the Bowman Cemetery, Bowman, ND.

Visitation will be Thursday, October 27, 2011 from 10:00 AM - 7:00 PM at the Funeral Home in Bowman with a private family service following at 7:30 PM. Visitation will also be one hour before the funeral service at St. Charles Catholic Church in Bowman.

A Memorial Service to celebrate Lee's life will be held at a later date in Grand Forks or Fargo.

Arrangements are with Krebsbach and Kulseth Funeral Service, Bowman, ND. In lieu of flowers, please consider a donation to the Multiple Myeloma Research Foundation.