Leon (Lee) Joseph Dlug

Leon (Lee) Joseph Dlug passed away peacefully at his home near Bonners Ferry, Idaho on Sunday, September 28, 2014, surrounded by friends and family. He was 76 years old. A small graveside service was held for a few close family members on Friday, October 3rd at Copeland Cemetery; however, there will be a memorial celebration of Lee’s life at Grace Bible Fellowship, 6291 Main Street, Bonners Ferry, at 11:00 A.M. on Saturday, October 25, 2014. Everyone who knew Lee and wants to share in this celebration is welcome to attend. Lee was born on March 16, 1938 in Brooklyn, NY to Leo Stanley Dlug and Agnes Frances (Krawiec) Dlug. He grew up the third of seven children. Lee attended high school at Chelsea Vocational High School in New York City. While attending Chelsea he excelled in woodworking, and out of two high schools he won a top award for one of his woodworking projects. In 1956 Lee entered the Air Force for four years, spending one year in Korea. His occupation while in the service was carpentry and his specialty was woodworking. Much of the rest of Lee’s life and career was spent in handyman work, carpentry and woodworking. After attending New York University, he also spent quite a few years in computer operations and management (IBM and county government), and finally in computer sales. After discharging from the Air Force, Lee married Patricia Kluxdahl of North Dakota. They had 2 children, Lee Richard and Catherine Lynn. Some years later, Lee and Patricia divorced. In 1979 Lee married his beloved wife Rhoda (Hughes) in Denver, CO, and in 1982 Rhoda gave birth to Shawna Lee. In 2003 Lee and Rhoda expanded their family by adopting 2 boys, brothers, from Romania, Jeremy Tristan and Ady Jason. Lee was a loving father and husband; always caring for and enjoying time with his family. Lee was preceded in death by his father and mother. He is survived by his wife Rhoda, son Lee Richard, grandson Garrek, daughter Cathy and granddaughter Bayli (all from Colorado), daughter Shawna (Bonners Ferry), son Jeremy (Montana) and son Ady (Idaho). He is also survived by his brothers Raymond (Peggy) of NJ, Stanley (Caroline) of NJ, Paul (Rita) of NY, David (Joanne) of NY, John (Claudia) of NY, sister Joan of WA, and many, many nieces and nephews. Lee will be missed by the many people whose lives he has touched. It is a bittersweet passing, because through our tears we are rejoicing that he has passed on from this earthly existence into eternal life. At the end of his life Lee praised and thanked his Savior continually, practicing for the time he would stand before God’s throne.