Obituary for Laurel "Lee" VanPelt

Laurel “Lee” VanPelt passed away on Monday, December 7, 2020 at the San Juan Living Care Center in Montrose, CO. He was 88 years old.

Funeral services will be held at Chapel of the Cross, Pioneer Town, Cedaredge, Colo. on Monday, December 14, 2020 at 2:00 p.m. with Rev. Phil Neely officiating. Interment will follow at the Cedaredge Cemetery with military honors by the Grand Mesa VFW Post # 9221.

Laurel “Lee” VanPelt was born on August 6, 1932 at Decatur County Kansas to Kenneth Melford and Charlotte Ila (Uehlin) VanPelt. In 1947 Lee moved with his family from Kansas to Cedaredge where they homesteaded in the Colby area. He remained a resident of Cedaredge until he was moved into full-time nursing care in 2018.

Lee was a uranium driller and a farm implement mechanic. He served his country in the United States Army during the Korean conflict. On November 25, 1960 Lee married Maxine (Ridpath) VanPelt. Maxine passed away in Cedaredge on May 14, 2007.

Among survivors are his daughter Lorie Bollig and husband Greg of Montrose, CO; stepdaughter Judy Gagne of Fort Pierce, FL stepson Alan VanPelt and wife Carol of Grand Junction, brother Dale VanPelt of Montrose and sister Charleen Weiszbrod also of Montrose as well as six grandchildren and 8 great grandchildren.

Lee was preceded in death by his parents, wife Maxine, brother Don his sister Violet Kathke and stepson Jerry VanPelt.

Arrangements are under the care and direction of Taylor Funeral Service and Crematory.