Braden Dean Lee

With shattered hearts, we share the unexpected passing of our beloved son, brother, grandson, cousin, and friend, Braden Dean Lee, age 30.

Braden was born on November 22, 1995, and from the very beginning brought joy, laughter, and love to everyone fortunate enough to know him. His passing has left an unimaginable emptiness in the lives of his family and friends. The world feels a little less bright without his smile.

Braden graduated from Johnston High School in 2014 before proudly serving his country in the United States Marine Corps. During his military service, he was stationed in Australia in 2020. He carried the values of loyalty, courage, and commitment throughout his life, and those who knew him saw these qualities reflected in the way he treated others.

After returning to Iowa, Braden enjoyed his job, where he loved both the work and the people he worked alongside. He had recently rented a new apartment in Waukee and was beginning an exciting new chapter of his life. He was making plans, building his future, and looking ahead with hope.

What made Braden truly special was not what he did, but who he was. He had a smile that could light up a room and a heart that never seemed to run out of kindness. He was the person who showed up, made people laugh, made others feel included, and genuinely cared. He moved through life with a warmth and generosity that touched countless people. To know Braden was to love him.

Braden is survived by his loving parents, Randy and Shelly Lee; his brothers, Mason Lee of Ankeny, Iowa, and Gerrit Lee of Seattle, Washington; his grandparents, Larry and Beverly Stravers of Prairie City, Iowa; Tina (Ron) Smith of Ankeny, Iowa; and Carter (Lola) Lee of Overland Park, Kansas; along with many aunts, uncles, cousins, friends, fellow Marines, coworkers, and all whose lives were made better by knowing him.

There are no words sufficient to express the heartbreak of losing Braden. Thirty years was not enough. We will forever mourn the conversations left unsaid, the milestones we will not witness, and the years we thought we would have together. We will miss hearing his voice, seeing his smile, and feeling his presence in our lives.

Yet even in our grief, we are grateful. Grateful for every laugh, every hug, every memory, and every moment we were blessed to share with him. His love remains woven into the fabric of our family, and his memory will be carried in our hearts for the rest of our lives.

Braden's time on this earth was far too short, but the love he gave and the lives he touched will last forever.

"If love alone could have saved you, you would have lived forever."

Visitation will be held at Caldwell Parrish Funeral Home & Crematory (8201 Hickman Road, Urbandale) at 1:00 p.m. on Tuesday, June 23, 2026. A memorial service will follow at 2:00 p.m.

In leiu of flowers, memorial contributions can be made to the family for a cause to be named at a later date.