Lester "Les" J. Derksen
Newton - Lester J. "Les" Derksen, 83, of rural
Newton, Kansas, passed away Monday, January 25, 2021 at Newton Medical Center.
He was born March 9, 1937 in Mountain Lake, Minnesota, the son of C.L. and
Lydia (Pankratz) Derksen.
Les was a member of Goessel Mennonite Church. He was also a
life member of the National Rifle Association, and active contributor to Ducks
Unlimited and the Kansas State University Ahearn Club.
Les worked at Harold Book and Printing in Newton and for 23
years at Hesston Corporation before he became a self-employed manufacturing
sales representative, selling an assortment of off-road vehicle components
since the mid 1980's.
He was united in marriage to Mary Ellen Weldy on June 13,
1959 in Goshen, Indiana. She preceded him in death on December 2, 2020.
Les is survived by his sons, Robert (Debra) Derksen of Iowa
City, Iowa, and Roger (Sara) Derksen of Conroe, Texas; daughter, Ruth (Bobby)
Church of Newton; nine grandchildren; three great-grandchildren; and sisters,
Vernelle (Dale) Koehn of Hesston, Florence (Tom) Almond of Wichita, Jeanette
Nixon of Newton and Millie Derksen of Hesston.
He was preceded in death by his parents; wife, Mary; son,
Richard; and brother, LeRoy.
A public memorial service will be held at 3:00 pm Saturday,
August 14, 2021 at the Goessel Church, in Goessel, KS. Memorial contributions
may be made to the Goessel Church, 109 S Church St, Goessel, KS 67053.
