Lee Charles Kaseberg

Lee Kaseberg 85, of Wasco, unexpectedly died Wednesday, May 7, 2025, during a medical procedure. A celebration of his life will be held Saturday, June 7 at 1pm at the Sherman School gym in Moro. Referees are asked to wear their stripes. Instead of flowers, donations are suggested to The Dalles Meals on Wheels, PO Box 689, The Dalles OR 97058.

Lee was born November 29, 1939, to Paulen and Margilee Morse Kaseberg, and lived almost all of his life on or near the homestead property west of Wasco. He and siblings Terry and Alice grew up surrounded by many cousins and extended family. Lee and cousin Larry went to the 1953 National Boy Scout Jamboree in California, and Lee returned home knowing how to play poker.

Lee attended Wasco Grade School, Moro High School, and in 1957 was part of the first class to graduate from the consolidated high school. His only time living out of Sherman County, Lee moved to Eugene to major in History at the University of Oregon, "where in my junior year I found a cute Sigma Kappa by the name of Karen".

Lee and Karen were married August 19, 1961, and have three children: Cindy, Brett, and Deron. He welcomed their spouses into the family: Charley Brown, Tina Kaseberg and Twila Kaseberg. Lee was actively involved in the lives of his children and truly loved being a grandparent. He always thought "great grandpa" was an adjective, not just a title. His pride and joy: Justin Brown and Amanda Richey with Eva and Dutcher; Stanton Brown; Riley Brown; Stephanie Kaseberg and Bryan Vanek with Ryder; Stacy and Steven Kane with Harper, Henry and Hayden; Shelby Kaseberg and Brandon Gosson with Colt; Hollee and Kaleb Sperry; Hunter Kaseberg; Eric and Megan Temple with Dallas (and one on the way); Jacob and Jordan Temple with Lincoln and Delaney; and Alison Kaseberg Worth and Dylan Worth.

Lee was always very community minded. He was a 65-year member of the BPOE Elks in The Dalles and a life member of the Rocky Mountain Elk Foundation, helping with fundraisers and activities. These included The Dalles Meals on Wheels and concessions at the Wasco County Fairgrounds. Lee also supported 4-H and FFA youth for 50+ years, helping at livestock weigh-ins for local shows and fairs, and donating at the livestock auctions.

He coached baseball at the youth and high school levels in Sherman County and Maupin, and coached all three of his kids, a future son-in-law, and one grandson. As a young couple, Lee and Karen attended many OSU-UofO civil war games, rain or shine. He always cheered for Oregon and was grumpy duck at dinner if the Beavers won the game.

Lee began as a basketball referee at age 40 and football at age 60. When he retired from officiating in 2020, he was one of the oldest active referees in the state. In 2015, OAOA awarded him State Football Official of the Year. People have called him "The Teaching Referee" due to his focus on helping youth learn. Lee was a fixture at the OSAA state 1A basketball tournament in Baker City. Once in 1988 as a referee, and many years managing the hospitality room for the referees.

As part of the Sherman County Barnstormers community theatre group, Lee served on the board, helped build sets, directed several plays, acted and chaired the casino nights. He never needed a mike on stage.

As a farmer with his father and brother as K-3 Ranches, Lee was a life member of the Oregon Wheat League, served on the Sherman Co-op Board, and received the OSU Diamond Pioneer Award in 2013. A recycler all his life, in 1990 Lee started the Sherman County Recycling Program near the Wasco Farm Store. He generously donated the proceeds to youth organizations, school activities and special projects. The Association of Oregon Recyclers awarded him "Recycler of the Year" as special recognition in 1996.

His hobbies have always included playing cards, drinking coffee, eating chocolate chip cookies and ice cream with Nesquik on top, telling stories, hunting, spending time at the cabin in Wallowa County and his lifetime love of the Dodgers. He was quite a creature of habit, always stopping at the same restaurants and rest areas on every drive he made to Eastern Oregon or Portland. Lee was a one-in-a-million guy and quite a character.