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Dustin Michael Lee

LEE, TRONDSON, JAMES, RATCLIFFE-ALLEN, WILKERSON, STEINBERGER

Posted By: Sarah Fletcher (email)
Date: 4/19/2021 at 16:12:09

Dustin Michael Lee of North Liberty, Iowa, formerly of Burlington, North Dakota passed away unexpectedly but peacefully in his sleep on April 6, 2021 at the young age of 35.

Dustin’s family held a private time to say goodbye, surrounded by the love and support of each other. Honoring his wishes, cremation has taken place and there will be no formal services. In lieu of flowers, memorial donations can be made to a GoFundMe campaign that has been set up for Erin and Zane (https://gofund.me/37520cde)

Dustin was born November 18, 1985 in Minot, North Dakota to Robert and Kathy (Trondson) Lee. He was raised in Burlington and graduated from Des Lacs Burlington High School. After high school, he began working at a few local restaurants, where he was loved by all customers for his fun, loving and outgoing personality. He eventually went on and furthered his education at Minot State University, where he earned his bachelor’s degree in sociology and psychology in 2015.

While Dustin worked towards his academic goals, he met the love of his life, Erin James, and became a devoted and loving father to their son Zane. The family of three moved to North Liberty, Iowa after Dustin was accepted into graduate school at The University of Iowa. He was on his way to earning his PhD in Sociology at the University of Iowa at the time of his death. Dustin was known in the department for his humor and kindness, and he was a devoted Teaching Assistant to undergraduate students.

A man amongst men, Dustin was someone who could talk to anyone in any situation and knew to not expect anything less, even as a child. Without any preparation, he could give a speech to any crowd of any size and it would be exemplary, such as his father’s eulogy when he was thirteen years old. He passed these traits on to Zane, along with the many other great qualities he was loved for. He was a wonderful writer and a lifelong reader and learner, hoping to become a college professor after graduate school.

Dustin loved nothing more than his family and even after living miles away, he continued to let his love for them be known. Life only got better when he became a father as he and Zane did everything together, such as play video games, even though mom may not have been all for them. Aside from spending time with family, he enjoyed reading, playing golf, and watching anime with his son.

He is survived by his significant other Erin James of 13 years, and their 11-year-old son Zane Lee, both of North Liberty, IA; his mother Kathy Lee of Burlington, ND; two sisters Tonya Ratcliffe-Allen of Andover, KS, and Patricia (Matt) Wilkerson of Lafayette, IN; uncles Willie “Rudy” Trondson (Dawn-Anne) and Dr. Troy Trondson, as well as his aunt Tammy (Mike) Steinberger, and many extended family members.

He was preceded in death by his father Robert E. Lee; paternal grandparents Sal and Pauline “Pinky” Lee and maternal grandparents Willie and Rosie Trondson.

Lensing Funeral & Cremation Service
 

Johnson Obituaries maintained by Cindy Booth Maher.
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