Lee Nord was born on September 29, 1941, in Bakersfield, CA. Lee was the fourth of five children born to John and Helen Nord. Lee went to his heavenly home on Saturday, February 5, 2022, after battling pancreatic cancer. He was 80 years old.

Lee's family moved to Fresno from Bakersfield in 1955. He attended Immanuel High School where he drove the school bus at the young age of 15. In the farming community, kids could get their driver's license at the age of 14. He graduated from Fowler High School in 1959. He met the love of his life, Sharon Goertzen, at a youth event at Bethany Mennonite Brethren Church in Fresno. Lee and Sharon married in 1959 and would have celebrated their 63rd wedding anniversary on March 21, 2022. Lee began work as a farmer on his family's farm, then worked for 13 years as a carpenter in Fresno. Lee and Sharon moved to Kerman in 1973 to begin his final career as a farmer. He retired and sold the farm in 2017. Lee and his brother Gary Nord farmed alfalfa, cotton, and almonds. On August 9, 2019, Lee and Sharon sold their home on the farm and moved into a beautiful home in Fresno where he was able "farm the plants" in his backyard. He was able to stay in his home until his last breath. Lee and Sharon were members of Bethany M. B. Church in Fresno, and later Kerman Covenant Church.

Lee enjoyed construction projects around his house and set up a shop in his garage. In his early years, Lee enjoyed playing baseball with community and church teams as the pitcher. Lee also bowled on a men's team and later in a mixed team with his wife Sharon, daughter Chelle, and son-in-law Roy. He enjoyed building audio speakers and would constantly rebuild and tweak speakers after building the first version. He installed and ran the first PA sound system at Kerman Covenant Church, later teaching his son-in-law Rob the techniques and skills for "running the sound." He had a wonderful bass voice and could be heard singing bass during congregational singing. Lee also enjoyed going for coffee daily with his farming friends at Ma's Café, Maria's, and later McDonalds in Kerman. For several years, Lee, Sharon and their friends gathered regularly to attend Fresno State basketball games at Selland Arena. Lee and Sharon also loved family trips to Morro Bay in their travel trailer and later in their motorhome. Lee loved his trip with Sharon to Oahu, Hawaii when he was 75, as it was also the 75th anniversary of Pearl Harbor. Lee loved food, going to restaurants, and barbecuing with family and friends.

Lee had a quiet sense of humor and loved laughter. His grandchildren learned to appreciate it and listen for the gems of humor he would quietly quip that could be easily missed by not paying attention. Lee was a man of strength and character, who cared deeply for protecting his family, and was a man who lived his faith in his daily life. Lee was friendly and could talk to anyone who had time to listen. He had a way to make people feel at ease.

Lee is survived by his wife, Sharon, daughters and sons-in-law Chelle and Roy Ziegenfuss of Fresno, and Gayle and Rob Yraceburu of Bakersfield, grandchildren Devin Nord-Ziegenfuss and wife Lesley of Fresno, Laura Yraceburu Dall and husband Ryan Dall of Culver City, Emily Yraceburu and Sarah Yraceburu, both of Fullerton, and great-grandson Rune Nord-Ziegenfuss. Lee is also survived by his sister, Maxine Schmidt and her husband Eldon of Reedley, and sisters-in-law Barbara Nord and Elaine Nord both of Fresno. He was preceded in death by his parents, John and Helen Nord of Kerman, sister Lorene Hedman of Fresno, and brothers Eugene Nord and Gary Nord both of Kerman.

Visitation will take place on Friday, February 11 from 5-7pm at Yost and Webb Funeral Home, 1002 T Street, Fresno, and a Celebration of Life will be held on Saturday, February 12 at 11am at LaViña (Kerman Covenant) Church, 15495 W. Whitesbridge, Kerman. Attire is "farmer casual".

Remembrances may be made to:

-Compassionate Care Hospice Central California, 7545 N. Del Mar Ave, Ste 204, Fresno, CA 93711.

-UCLA Jonsson Comprehensive Cancer Center to advance pancreatic cancer research. Donations may be directed to the UCLA Jonsson Cancer Center Foundation, Attn: Melissa Brody, 8-950 Factor Bldg, Box 951780, Los Angeles, CA 90095-1780; (310) 206-0675; www.cancer.ucla.edu/donate.

-Ag One Foundation at Fresno State, 2910 Barstow Ave., Fresno, CA 93740; AgOneFoundation.org see memorial gifts under giving opportunities.

-Please indicate your gift is in memory of Lee Nord.