For decades, David Lee Funeral Home & Cremation Services has been a pillar of compassion, service, and dedication in our community. As a 50-year member of the Wayzata West Metro Chamber, their commitment to providing care and support during life’s most challenging moments has left a lasting impact. We are honored to recognize their incredible milestone and celebrate their unwavering dedication to families in Wayzata and beyond.
Share a brief history of your business and how it has evolved over the past 50 years.
In 1961, funeral directors David Lee and John Huber purchased the funeral home and established the Huber-Lee Funeral Home, operating two funeral homes in the metro area. Seven years later, David Lee took over the funeral home in Wayzata as sole owner, and he and his wife, Patti operated the David Lee Funeral Home until his passing in 1989. During the start-up years of the funeral business, David Lee also sold caskets and drove a limousine to put food on the table for his three young children. He was known for his willingness to deliver caskets anytime, anywhere. Service defined him in the market, and this personal service has continued to set David Lee Funeral Home and Cremation Services apart from others.
How has being a Chamber member benefited your business over the years?
As a member of the Wayzata West Metro Chamber, our business has benefited significantly from increased networking opportunities in the Wayzata area, enhanced visibility within the local community, access to valuable resources, advocacy for the business environment, and ultimately, leading to more opportunities to serve families in our growing area.
What are some of the biggest milestones and favorite memories during this time?
As a member, we’ve had opportunities to be recognized, which allowed us to grow as a business and as individuals in personal achievements, including:
- Achieving 50 years as a funeral home business.
- Continuing to maintain the business as family-owned, with the succession of Mike Lee taking over for his father, David Lee.
- Receiving numerous awards for exceptional service to the community, notably the Exceptional Service Award.
Favorite memories include:
- Mike Lee’s time serving on the Chamber Board of Directors
- Volunteering for the Roger Miller Golf Classic Tournaments
- Participating in the Wayzata Chilly Open
- Mike Lee named as the 2017 Person of the Year
What advice would you give to newer businesses looking to get involved with the Chamber?
Take the effort to actively engage in networking events, take advantage of their resources, and offer to share your skill set and business knowledge or volunteer your time to demonstrate your commitment to the community. Service above self.
What’s one thing that has remained the same in your business over all these years?
Our dedication to honoring those who have passed on and offering ways to provide a meaningful and memorable service, paying tribute to the legacy of loved ones with dignity and respect. We will continue to support all those in need after a loss. We have years of experience and continue to learn new ways to serve families and how to better adapt to the changes in death care.
