Lee Joseph Friend, 75 of Valentine passed away Saturday, November 26th, 2022, at Hilltop Estates in Gothenburg.

Lee was born January 1, 1947, in Omaha to Lester and Hope (Joseph) Friend. He attended Lincoln Southeast High School, graduating with the class of 1965. In 1970, Lee graduated from the University of Nebraska-Lincoln. He enlisted in the United States Air Force Medical Education Program of Reserve Officers in 1971. Lee was united in marriage to Carol Peters in 1972. To this union two children were blessed. He received his Doctor of Medicine in 1975 from the University of Nebraska College of Medicine. He then began his family practice residency program at Scott AFB, Illinois. Additionally, he was stationed at Luke AFB, Arizona and Whiteman AFB, Missouri, before being honorably discharged in 1984. Lee and his family then moved to Ephrata, Washington, where he started a private family practice clinic. After his divorce in 1987, he continued family practice and emergency medicine in Fosston, Minnesota; Portales, New Mexico; and multiple locations in West Texas. Following his retirement from his medical career, he and his wife, Brandy relocated to Topeka, Kansas and then finally to Valentine.

Lee was an avid pilot who enjoyed flying his single-engine airplane. He loved to travel, especially to the Caribbean. He was an enthusiastic woodworker and loved making toys for his grandchildren. He also liked gardening, animals, and was a lifelong Husker football fan.

He is survived by his wife Brandy Friend of Valentine; daughter, Nikki Friend of Kearney; son, Tim (Crystal) Friend of Overland Park, Kansas; grandchildren, Casey, Luke, and Claire Friend; step-children, Amanda Keeling, Kristin Tucker-Seiler, and Brenton Tucker; four step grandchildren; former spouses, Hazel, and Susie.

Lee was preceded in death by his parents and the mother of his children.

There will be a private celebration of life at a later date.