Lee Bell

Lee Bell, 66, passed away peacefully at Valley Senior Living on Friday, September 11, 2026, surrounded by his loving family.

Lee Elwyn Bell was born on November 19, 1959, in Grand Forks, ND, the only child of Leo and Evelyn (Lee) Bell. He was raised and educated in Grand Forks and graduated from Red River High School in 1978. Lee went on to attend the University of North Dakota, where he earned a degree in Aviation.

During his college years, Lee started his own landscaping business, which grew into a very successful venture. He had a natural talent for creativity and entrepreneurship, and his mind was always spinning with ideas. Most were amazing ideas, although there were certainly a few nutty ones along the way that gave us a good laugh.

After graduating from UND, Lee worked as a pilot in Chicago and later flew for Fargo Air Ambulance. In 1996, he joined Corporate Air, where he eventually became lead pilot. He flew a FedEx Cessna Caravan and served the local region for many years before retiring.

Lee married Jana Sherek on March 13, 1997, in Grafton, ND. They made their home in Grand Forks, where they raised their children.

When Lee wasn’t working, he was always anxious to head to the family lake home near Devils Lake, ND. This was where he loved gathering with family and friends, catching walleyes, hunting waterfowl, and filling the home with laughter, fishing and hunting stories, and endless memories that will be cherished forever. Lee also enjoyed many hunting and fishing trips, frequenting Alaska, The Badlands, Canada, and Colorado. He looked forward to the annual catfish tournament, another favorite tradition that gave him the opportunity to enjoy time with friends and the outdoors.

Above all, Lee’s greatest love was his children. He rarely missed an activity, event, or opportunity to support them. He was a devoted father who loved his children wholeheartedly and lit up whenever he talked about them. He was incredibly proud of the adults they were becoming and treasured every moment he had with them.

Lee was also a dedicated UND Hockey and Minnesota Vikings football fan, attending as many games as he could possibly fit into his schedule. His final Vikings game was in London. This game was a special experience and a true blessing.

Lee is survived by his wife of nearly 30 years, Jana; his children, Skylar and Wyatt Bell of Grand Forks, and Jon (Alicia) Bauer of Idaho; his grandson, Finn Bauer; and his beloved Labrador Retriever… SKOL!

He was preceded in death by his parents; his mother- and father-in-law; and a special family friend, Harold Veitch.

In lieu of flowers, memorials are suggested to HIA Hospice, Valley Senior Living, or the Alzheimer’s Association.

Memorial services will be held at 4:00 p.m. on Sunday, September 20, 2026, at Amundson Funeral Home in Grand Forks, with visitation one hour prior to the service. Private interment will take place at a later date at Calvary South Cemetery in Grand Forks.

An online guestbook is available at www.amundsonfuneralhome.com.