MICHAEL LEE ARVONEN
Michael Lee Arvonen passed away on Wednesday, October 20, 2021, surrounded by family, after a courageous battle with COVID-19. He was 44 years old.
Michael Lee was born on December 30, 1976, in Chico, California. As a sixth generation Durham, CA native, he grew up on Burdick Road making memories in the almond orchards with his cousins and siblings. He attended the Durham Unified School District since kindergarten and graduated in the class of 1996.
Michael was a passionate man with many loves, hobbies, and interests, which made him the most interesting man in
the room. He loved the outdoors and spent many weekends and summers camping in Butte Meadows and along the California Coast with his family. He had a passion for music and was a beautiful, self-taught acoustic guitar player. Michael Lee would also dive headfirst into many hobbies; he loved Sierra Nevada beer and perfected his own microbrews at home; he was an avid collector and built an extensive stamp, coin (and as a child Garbage Pail Kid) collections; he was a gifted artist and could always masterfully capture the greatest beauty and detail in his drawings, paintings, and photographs. His collections and artwork will be deeply cherished by his family for years to come.
Michael Lee’s greatest love was his family. Most of all he cherished his daughters Madeline and Molly, whom he would move mountains to support. He relished in sharing his passions with them both, and they will carry those memories forever in their hearts. In 2010, Michael met his soulmate Jeanie Miller, whom he married on a Kauai beach in 2013. Jeanie and Michael recently purchased 11 acres with breathtaking views of Lake Pend Oreille in Sandpoint, Idaho. If you talked to Michael recently, you knew how excited he was to build his dream home with Jeanie and spend the rest of his life in his own piece of Heaven on Earth.
In addition to Jeanie, Madeline, and Molly, Michael Lee is survived by his father Charles Michael Arvonen, his mother Faith Lynn Sandoval, his grandparents Paul and Lorraine Arvonen, his sisters Marcie Nagel, Kara Sandoval, and Amy Frank, as well as several cousins, aunts and uncles who loved him dearly. He was predeceased by his brother James Silva II, and grandparents George and Adele Hackett.
We will raise a glass to Michael Lee at his Celebration of Life service at Bidwell Chapel, 341 W 3rd Street, Chico, CA, on Monday, October 25, 2021, at 3pm. A visitation before the service will begin at 2pm. The family will be there to welcome friends and relatives. He will be laid to rest on his dream property in Sandpoint, Idaho at a later time.