Lee Silvonen

HURLEY, Wis. — Lee Silvonen went to be with the Lord on Jan. 19, 2022.

She was born on June 19 in Yakima, Washington, the daughter of Thomas and Jolene (Layman) Buckallew. She spent her childhood in Ironwood.

Lee and her husband traveled to Oregon in her early adult life and lived there for many years. She owned and operated a new and used store, “The Eager Beaver” which was her “happy place.”

When Lee retired, she moved back to Ironwood to live by her sister. She loved her family and friends and missed them every day, but she talked to them frequently on her phone to keep up with events in their lives. She would reminisce about when her children were young and how they went on vacations and the sporting events the children participated in and how she loved every minute of it and missed it so much. Her grandchildren were very special to her and would call her and it just made her “glow.” She was a woman of faith and let it show in her everyday life.

She liked to be near her living room window with a cup of coffee in her hands and watch a bird or a butterfly pass by. She just loved her butterflies.

She will be dearly missed. Fly with the Angels dear sister and never have to bear pain or sorrow ever again. Forever free.

Lee is survived by her children in Oregon, Abe (Mariah) and their children, Dayton, Zoey, Lucas and Daphne; Clayton (Holly) and their children, Jullian, Mahallah, Sesha and Finley; and a daughter, Erica; her sister, Sally (Mike) Niziol; and numerous nieces and nephews.

She was preceded in death by her parents, Thomas and Jolene Buckallew; and brothers, Harland and Johnnie Buckallew

A celebration of life will take place on Wednesday, Feb. 2, at 2 p.m. at 300 Hematite St. in Hurley, in the activity room with Pastor Roy Speck officiating. A luncheon will follow the service.

The family has chosen Frick-Zielinski Funeral Home of Bessemer to honor Lee’s legacy of life. You can leave a condolence or a tribute at rangefuneralservices.com.