Lee was the son of Everard Roderic and Eva (Cochran) Alden. He joined the Navy in 1955 and was stationed on the U.S.S. Bradford in San Diego, California. He married Janice Foxley on 8 June 1958. Their children are David and Sheila. Lee worked for Black Hills Power and Light until his retirement in 2001. He was a member of the Lions Club, Newell Golf Club, and First Lutheran church.

Burial is at Hope Cemetery, Newell, SD.