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Leslie B. Anderson of Emporia passed away on Wednesday, April 8, 2026, at his home. He was 85.

Les was born on February 20, 1941, in Omaha, Nebraska, the son of Carl E. and Pearl Irene (Patterson) Anderson. He married Betty J. Jorgensen on June 3, 1961, in Kennard, Nebraska.

He is survived by his loving wife, Betty J. Anderson of the home; one son, David (Stephanie) Anderson of Norfolk, Nebraska; two daughters, Laura (Jerry) Jacks of Americus and Dawn (Jason) Young of Emporia; grandchildren, Evan Anderson, Cutter Anderson, Ryder Anderson, Jody McKinsey, Josh McKinsey, and Braxton Young; and seven great-granddaughters.

He was preceded in death by his parents, one brother, and six sisters. Les and Betty moved to Emporia, Kansas, in May of 1966. Les was a top tire salesman for Goodyear before later working for Broadmore Homes and Hastco. In 1985, he became co-owner and Vice-President of Kan-Build, Inc., a modular home and multi-family builder, where he worked for over 30 years.

He was a generous supporter of many community organizations, including the Kiwanis Club, Lyon County 4-H (where he was a livestock buyer), and the Emporia Arts Council, among others. Following retirement, Les became a full-time farmer on his homestead north of Emporia. He was a member of St. Mark’s Lutheran Church in Emporia.

Visitation will be held from 5:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m., Tuesday, April 14, 2026, at Roberts-Blue-Barnett Funeral Home in Emporia.

Funeral services will be held at 10:00 a.m., Wednesday, April 15, 2026, at St. Mark’s Lutheran Church in Emporia, with cremation to follow. Private inurnment will take place at a later date at Rosean Cemetery near the family farm.

Memorial contributions may be made to the Emporia Arts Council, Lyon County 4-H, or St. Mark’s Lutheran Church, and sent in care of Roberts-Blue-Barnett Funeral Home, P.O. Box 175, Emporia, KS 66801.

~~~obituary and courtesy of the Nebraska Washington County Genealogical Society. Newspaper clippings on file in the Public Library, Blair, Nebraska~~~

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