Frank Lee Obituary

Frank Fun Nam Lee, 92, passed away peacefully at home on August 28, 2025.

He was born to Lau Ho on October 21, 1932, in Canton China. While in China he completed three years of schooling. Frank moved to Kowloon Hong Kong where he finished school and graduated high school. During his time in Kowloon, he also met and married his wife of 69 years, Mee Jane and started a family. He was a jack of many trades holding several different occupations, first as a typist. Frank also worked as a shoemaker in a shoe repair shop; He took custom suit orders as a partner in a tailor shop for many ship occupants docked in the harbor. He also worked as a taxi and bus driver, driving as large of a bus as a double decker, holding many types of licenses for various motor vehicles and an international driver’s license.

In 1970, Frank and his family moved to the United States, settling in Des Moines, where he worked with his father-in-law at King Ying Low downtown on Fourth street. After King Ying Low was sold Frank and Mee Jane bought Rice Bowl Restaurant in Beaverdale. At Rice Bowl he was known to make egg foo young and egg rolls; you could say he was the egg foo young and egg roll king. He was such a hard worker and so dedicated to his work but even more so to his family. Frank enjoyed visits to the kitchen from long time, customers turned family and would be quick to welcome you to sit down for something to eat or drink.

Frank is survived by his son Kenny Kay Ying (Deanne) Lee; daughter-in-law Jolie Lee; son-in-law Paul Norman. Grandchildren Jenna Lai Ching Lee; Jacob Ga Ken (Savannah) Lee; Father Jason Ga Sing Lee; Nicholas Wing Hong (Hannah) Lee; Hannah Sha Lin (Brett) Metzger; Emily Lee Norman; Victoria Lee (Carter) Bloomquist; half brother-in-law Jim On Loon Leong. He was preceded in death by his mother Lau Ho; wife Mee Jane; daughter Susan Yu Yee Norman and son John Ki Siu Lee.

Memorial funds should be sent in care of Kenny Lee to Dunn’s Funeral Home at 2121 Grand Ave, Des Moines, IA 50312.

Funeral arrangements have been made for Friday September 5, 2025, with visitation starting at 10 A.M. and service to follow at 11 A.M. Both will take place at Dunn’s Funeral Home.

Memorial may be directed to the family and sent to Iles Dunn’s Chapel, 2121 Grand Ave, Des Moines, IA 50312.

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