Lee Powers, age 67, of Brookings, passed away on Tuesday, November 7, 2017, at the Brookings Hospital.  Memorial services will be held on Saturday, November 11, 2017, at 11:00 A.M., at Bethel Baptist Church in Brookings.  Visitation will be held one hour prior to service.

Lee Stephen Powers was born on May 10, 1950, to Eugene and Grace Ellen (Wilson) Powers in Belle Fourche, South Dakota.  Lee graduated from Belle Fourche High School, and began attending college in Spearfish, where he met his future wife, Guyla Boyer.  They were married on July 2, 1971, at the St. James Lutheran Church in Belle Fourche.  In 1978, the couple moved to Texas, where Lee became an avid Dallas Cowboys Fan.  It was during their time in Texas that Lee and Guyla became foster parents, eventually adopting two of their foster children, Charles and Star, and having one child of their own, Stephanie.

In 1995 the family moved back to South Dakota, and they set roots in Brookings.  Lee worked at Larson's Manufacturing for over 20 years, and was a beloved member of their team, until his retirement.

Lee loved children, and when the opportunity came for him to join the Foster Grandparent Program in Brookings, he jumped at the chance to volunteer.  He greatly enjoyed the time he spent with the program at Medary Elementary School in Brookings.  Faith was also important in Lee's life.  He led several small group Bible studies, was a member of Bethel Baptist Church, and was a long time member of the Promise Keepers Group.  Lee especially cherished time spent with his family and grandchildren.

Lee is survived by: his wife, Guyla; children: Charles (April) Powers, of Texas, Star Powers, of Brookings, and Stephanie (Zeb) Hale, of Brookings; 9 grandchildren; sister, Linda (Richard) Beane, of Gillete, Wyoming; and 2 nieces.

Lee was preceded in death by: his parents, Eugene and Grace Ellen Powers, and his aunts and uncles.