Leslie F. "Les" Shaffer

Funeral Services for Leslie F. "Les" Shaffer will be conducted from the First Presbyterian Church in Holdrege, Nebraska on Tuesday, May 1, 2007 at 10:30 a.m. with Reverend Heather Shoup and Chaplain DeWane Dow, officiating. Interment will be in the Prairie Home Cemetery at Holdrege.

Leslie Finch Shaffer, 99 years of age, of Holdrege, passed away on Thursday, April 26, 2007 at the Christian Homes in Holdrege. Les was born December 4, 1907 on the family farm in Boone County near St. Edward, Nebraska, one of five children of Charlie and Angie (Finch) Shaffer. He was baptized and confirmed at the First Presbyterian Church in St. Edward. Les received his education at St. Edward, graduating from St. Edward High School with the class of 1926. He then pursued higher education at Hastings College in Hastings, Nebraska.

On January 19, 1929 he was united in marriage to Ella Marie Skanderup at St. Edward and to this union four children were born: Shirley Ann, Nadene, Karen and Kenton. Following his education, the couple made their home in Clay Center, Nebraska in 1929, where Les began his lifelong work in the Dry Cleaning business. In 1940 the family moved to Holdrege, where Les and Ella owned and operated, Shaffer Cleaners until his retirement in 1969. On November 18, 1973 he was preceded in death by his wife, Ella. In December of 1975 he was united in marriage to Vida "Vi" Westcott. The two families blended closely together and enjoyed spending time together. Les and Vi enjoyed traveling and wintering in Arizona. In 1983 he was preceded in death by his wife, Vi.

Les was a member of the First Presbyterian Church in Holdrege for 60 + years, where he was active in many capacities including: past elder, deacon and served on many committees. He was also a member of the Holdrege Rotary Club and member of the Jachin Lodge #146 A.F. & A.M. Les served on the Holdrege School Board for several years and also on the Nebraska State School Board Association. He enjoyed many friendship bonds formed through the years in his coffee group.

He leaves to mourn his passing his three daughters: Shirley Ann White and her husband, Jack of Barstow, California, Nadene Holub of North Tustin, California and Karen Lingle of Sun Lakes, Arizona; one son, Ken Shaffer and his wife, Lynnda of Kearney; three step-children: Artie Hobbs and her husband, Bob of Kearney, Norma Smith and her husband, Don of Iowa City, Iowa and Marvin Westcott and his wife, Vicki of Holdrege; ten grandchildren; fifteen great-grandchildren; six great-great grandchildren; eight step grandchildren; twelve step great-grandchildren; and a host of nieces, nephews, other relatives and friends. Besides his two wives, he was preceded in death by his parents; three sisters; one brother and three sons-in-law.

Mr. Shaffer will lie in state at the Nelson-Bauer Funeral Home in Holdrege on Monday, April 30, 2007 from 1:00 p.m. – 9:00 p.m. with the family greeting from 7:00 p.m. – 8:30 p.m.

A memorial has been established in his memory and suggested to the First Presbyterian Church in Holdrege; Christian Homes or the Phelps County Community Foundation.

Expressions of caring and kindness can be sent to the family at www.nelsonbauerfh.com

The Nelson-Bauer Funeral Home in Holdrege is in charge of the arrangements.