Brent Lee

Brent William John Lee, 26, born on February 21, 2000 and passed away on June 13, 2026.

Sweet, intelligent, talented & determined are just a few of the words used to describe Brent (Butchy) Lee. You may have known him as a creator, designer, brother, cousin, son, grandson, nephew, father, or friend. He was truly irreplaceable in every role. Putting 26 years of life into words isn’t easy, but sharing the memories we have is necessary in the grieving process & keeping his spirit alive. 

Born on February 21 (a birthday he shares with his father Bob), he quickly earned the nickname Butchy, as Brent was too hard to pronounce. As a younger brother to Jake, they stuck together like glue from beginning to end. Being only 2 years apart, it was easy being “best buddies”.. Most of the time. Physical violence may have been their love language for the majority of their childhood, but it always ended in a truce with a good movie or tv show while they caught their breath. They lived together in Grand Rapids (with dad, Bob) during their teen years & were very adept at managing the homefront. They loved, cared for & raised chickens, ducks, peacocks, dogs, cats & other barnyard type friends. In addition, they learned to precisely chop wood & metaphorically “keep the home’s fire burning” while also completing high school. Brent always tagged along wherever Jake went, which turned into an invaluable bond. 

He had many other siblings as well, including older sisters Alainah & Briana, & the youngest, Pyper & Logan. Briana looked after her little brother & always had his back, along with her husband, Chris, who has been a part of the Lee family for decades now. They all supported eachother & stuck together. They were lucky enough to connect over similar interests, which made his brother role feel more like true friendship. As Brent grew older he would never hesitate to help out with little sis Pyper, include her in things, drive her around & simply just care. 

He was also extremely loved by his ‘Uncle B’ & his children Soren, Sierra, Sunny, & Saylor. Brent lived with them on many occasions, including as a young 8 year old boy. With Brian being just 25 at the time, they learned a lot about each other & overcame many obstacles together. He felt like a little brother to B, & then eventually like an older brother to his children. Brent learned quickly that the 100mph speeding tickets weren’t going to fly, & that he had to become a good influence. Another important factor in their relationship was gaining his dog, Boody, who became a huge part of his life for years to come. He showed a deep connection to his pet bull dog, & this gift was absolutely crucial in his story. 

On top of siblings & uncles, he had many cousins around the same age. Brandon Lee often felt like the third musketeer between him & Jake, as Butchy again had that brotherly feel. Bonding over things like action sports, music taste, trips & love for the outdoors. Family gatherings & holidays felt more like a party than anything. 

Having such a big family, there are simply too many stories to share. Although, a few notable ones are from his Grandma Wood as she recalls the curious, mysterious, & ambitious little boy that clings to her heart. He was a sensitive soul, writing poems as a young kid. He loved butter & would take bites out of the stick, which led to Pyper calling him her “Butter Brother”. Despite his love for fatty foods, genetics determined he would stay slim no matter what he ate. As a teen he was the smallest one on the football team, but that didn’t stop him from out maneuvering the other players at every turn. He was fast, athletic, & skilled at whatever he took on. 

Some of his hobbies over the years included skateboarding, snowboarding, & dirt biking. He could also wheelie a 3 wheeler like no other. Lots of his childhood days were spent at a skatepark or ski hill. He also took on some music skills from his dad, & even tried out a few complex instruments like the Oboe.. He carried a willingness to try new skills & was always up for a challenge. Butchy was feisty & fit the part of a rockstar & motor head, rocking a colored mohawk in the family albums. He had a keen sense of style, frequently involving obnoxious pops of color. 

From the outside he may have come off as quiet or shy, but if you listened close enough you’d likely hear a sarcastic remark, subtle joke, or one-liner that could quickly become an inside joke. His laugh was unforgettable, that came with the squinty eyes & the best smile. 

For the past 6 years, Brent stepped into the role of being an uncle. He was quite the hit in the family, being the “cool” uncle with the RC cars. The boys especially (Gavin, Theo, & Axton) were always excited to see his latest creation, watch it drive fast, do donuts, & eventually learn how to drive them (with his guidance). He even gifted the kids their very own RC car, which may or may not have immediately crashed into a tree. They got to drive on the track he made in his backyard (sorry landlord), but unfortunately didn’t get enough training to become skilled racers yet. 

We all knew he was going to make a great father one day, & in 2024 he blessed us with his beautiful daughter, Maija. His love for her was clear & so strong from the very beginning. He involved her in everything he did, including his passion around cars. She lit up just looking at her dada, & their bond was undeniable. 

Shortly after Maija, the nieces started to roll into the picture. Brent’s gentle nature & calming presence shined through when he was around them. As our family grew, we all became closer & cherished spending more time together. Whether it was camping, traveling, or just another get together, he played an important role as a loving father, uncle, brother, cousin, son, nephew & friend. 

Brent was also an amazing caretaker to his animals, Boody & Bruce to name a few. He spoiled them in the best way, & rarely left their side. No matter where he was in his life, the gang was incorporated into it. Boody took the best friend title for 13 whole years. If it wasn’t a dog friendly outing, he likely wouldn’t come for long. It was obvious the love he had for his pets, they were just as much family as the rest of us. 

When he wasn’t with family, you could likely find him at his 3D printer making revolutionary parts, engineering features or out & about in the RC community. Many looked up to him, as lots of his creations were a first in that realm. He brought a unique, useful, & fun energy to that network, & built up a successful & appreciated business. He was undoubtedly a trailblazer in the RC world. Pouring so much of his time into creating the best products, always pushing the limits of innovation & making sure every detail was perfect. Many have spoken out about his generosity, as he often sponsored local events (whether he was asked to or not). He was regularly willing to help & give back. Brent was a positive influence not only to his local circle, but thousands of people online. An old coworker also mentioned his sincerity & affect on them to keep their head up no matter what. 

There are many memories to recall, but I think we could all agree that the best ones were watching him embrace fatherhood. Maija was his favorite thing in the world, & meant everything to him. She will continue to carry on his legacy. This loss has sent shockwaves throughout the community & so many have joined in to support the family & to spread awareness for mental health. Thank you for being a part of Brent’s journey, no matter how big or how small.

He is survived by his daughter, Maija Lee; Maija's mother, Stephanie Wernimont; his mom, Tara Lee; his dad, Bob Lee; and his siblings, Briana Langlois (Chris), Alainah Hartman, Jake Lee (Hannah), Logan Pribil and Pyper Lee. He is also survived by his nieces and nephews, Gavin, Theo, Ellie, and Bonnie, as well as an extended family and many friends.

A gathering of family and friends will be held on Tuesday, June 23, 2026, from 4:00 pm to 8:00 pm at Mueller Memorial, 4738 Bald Eagle Avenue, White Bear Lake. A time for sharing memories will take place at 7:00pm.