René Diane Lee

Our beloved Mother René Diane (Peterson) Lee sadly passed away on November 1, 2023, after a nearly 7 year battle with an unrelenting and ironic cancer. 

Born in Twin Falls on December 28, 1965, she was the last born to Ralph Peterson and Doreen (Low) Peterson, joining siblings Ronnie and Rhonda.  She grew up on the family farm near Castleford and attended Buhl schools where she made many lifelong friends.  She graduated from Buhl High School in 1984, top 10 of her class where she participated in many clubs and extracurricular activities, her most loved being band playing the alto saxophone and serving as drum major for the Marching Band.

During a Senior trip to Paris, she met her future husband Errol Jeffery (Jeff) Lee at the Eiffel Tower.  The two quickly became good friends and pen pals. 

After High School she attended Idaho State University in Pocatello but was determined to drive semi-trucks and be closer to Jeff in Washington. She went to truck driving school and then started driving for John Kooy out of Lynwood, Washington with her now lifelong friend Redith Kleinbecker. She stopped trucking and moved to Washington to be near Jeff and the two married on September 8, 1989.  The two had their first son Gregory in September of 1992.  At this time René began working part time at a pet store until their second son Matthew arrived in November of 1996. 

She was a full time stay at home Mom until she began working for H&R Block as a tax expert in the early 2000’s. She held other jobs during non-tax season including being the part time postmaster at the Silvana post office.

René and Jeff divorced in 2013, and she and the boys moved back to her parents farm near Castleford.  Her Father helped purchase her a residence in Twin Falls. She continued working with H&R Block until a devastating cancer diagnosis in 2017 and she could no longer work. 

She was an avid attendee of many musical programs such as The MV Symphony and Choral, Arts on Tour, Summer Band Concerts in the park, and Orpheum Theater productions.  She loved the color green, semi-trucks, and all animals and ‘creepy crawlies’ .  She was fortunate to be able to take trips with her youngest son and family and have adventures with friends until ill health forced her to move to River Rock Assisted living on October 9, 2023, where she resided until her death.

René was preceded in death by her loving parents, Ralph and Doreen Peterson; as well as many aunts, uncles, and extended family. 

She is survived by her brother, Ronald Peterson of Buhl; sister, Rhonda Henry of Sioux City, Iowa; sons, Gregory Lee of Jerome, Idaho and Matthew Lee of Stockton, California; 3 wonderful grandchildren, Harrison Clark of Lynden, Washington, Maleficent and Milo Blase of Stockton, California; niece, Diana (Shawn) Brown of Colorado; nephew, Darren Peterson (Shanti); and family of Boise, Idaho. She also leaves behind her beloved dogs, Tootsie and Fred. Jasper unfortunately passed while she was in the Assisted Living Facility on October 10, 2023.   

In lieu of flowers we ask if you wish to make a donation, please give to a local Animal Shelter in her name.

Mom, you fought a long hard battle! We love and miss you so much but your pain and struggle is over.

Memorial service will be held at 1:00 pm, Saturday, November 25, 2023, at Farmer Funeral Chapel, 130 9^th Ave N, Buhl.

Memories and condolences may be shared with the family on René’s memorial webpage at www.farmerfuneralchapel.com.