Leland Dole

Leland (Lee) Dole, 94, of Sun City, Arizona passed away peacefully at home with his family around him on May 23, 2022. Lee was born April 3, 1928, in Boyce Ville, WI. He had three brothers and one sister, James, Donald, Conrad, and Myrtle (all who proceeded him in death). Lee graduated from Boyce Ville High School in 1945. After graduation he joined the Coast Guard. He served three years then he joined the US Army and was stationed at Ft. Bragg, NC in the 82nd Air Borne Division and served in the 24th Infantry Division’s inspector Generals Office. He married Charlotte Collins in 1952 and had one daughter, Leigh Anne, born September 21, 1956. He did a tour in Korea and in Okinawa. Charlotte passed away in October 1966 and was buried at Arlington National Cemetery. Lee had on the job nuclear power training at Argon National Lab in Illinois and then went to Idaho Falls. When he was stationed in Idaho Falls, he luckily escaped the deadly reactor explosion that killed three of his good friends in 1961. He had a hand in preparing the book called, “SL-1 (ALPR) US Army Nuclear Power Plant “The Story”. He was the sole survivor. Lee retired from the Army after 20 years in October 1966. In March of 1967 he married his high school classmate, Betty Stansbury-Kosharek. They and daughter, Leigh Anne moved to Colorado Springs, CO in 1968. Lee worked at K-Martt as manager of the appliance department. In 1968 they owned and managed, “The Peppermint Stick” an ice cream parlor located in Manitou Springs, CO. In 1996 they retired and moved to Sun City, AZ, Lee worked as a starter at the Wig-Wam Golf Resort and was a member of the Sundial Men’s Club. Lee is survived by daughter, Leigh Anne Roche of Sun City (she moved in with him April 29, 2019 to take care of him). Lee is also survived by his step-daughter, Jacqueline Crosby (Rick Kemis) of Luck, WI. Two Grandsons, Kalin (Nicole) Roche of Grand Junction, CO and Torrin (Danielle Broady) Roche of Kremmling, CO, six great grandchildren; Shantell, Angelia, Little Torrin, Tessa, Killian and Bradley of Colorado. Lee will be remembered for his wit, kind heart and active social life. A one-hour service will be held at Menke Funeral & Cremation Center on Tuesday, June 28, 2022 at 1:00PM.