LeRoy, aka Lee Hanssen, Lee’s Summit, MO, beloved husband, father, grandfather, and great-grandfather died on November 16, 2017 at KC Hospice House. He finished well with strength and dignity, at peace with his life here on earth and with his Lord Jesus Christ.
The Celebration of his Life service will be at St. Matthew Lutheran Church, 700 NE Chipman Rd, Lee’s Summit, MO on Monday, November 20, 2017 with visitation 1:00 p.m. and service at 3:00 p.m. Burial will be at Longview Cemetery, 12700 Raytown Rd, Kansas City, MO.
In lieu of flowers, Lee would like you to remember him with your memorials to Preisinger Scholarship Fund for Pastoral Candidate c/o St. Matthew Lutheran Church, 700 NE Chipman Rd, Lee’s Summit, MO 64063.
LeRoy was born in Chicago Heights, IL on July 18, 1927 to Bertha and Henry Hanssen, moving to Independence, MO when he was 10. LeRoy graduated from William Chrisman High School in 1945 and shortly thereafter was drafted into the U.S. Army and served 18 months in Bamberg, Germany as a Military Policeman, assisting displaced persons.
LeRoy worked for the Kansas City Star Company on the TIMES morning edition 35 years, retiring in 1989. He was a printer and when he retired he was doing the makeup of the front page of the newspaper and was warmly known as “Mr. Front Page”.
Three children were blessed to have Lee for their father and are grateful for having shared his life. Lana Lee, Laura Elaine, and Lynn Eileen. He loved helping his children, whenever they called, asking for help to hang this or fix that. He considered it an honor.
In May 1970, Lee married the love of his life, Patricia, and they shared 47 happy years. All who knew Lee would describe him as a fun-loving story teller. He had a delightful sense of humor, loving to stir up mischief, and to laugh. He loved to engage in lively conversation, threaded with many of his personal life experiences. You just never knew if you should take it serious or not!
His hobbies and interests included traveling with Pat to all 50 states and to Europe twice, enjoying his family, working on his beautiful lawn, model building, new cars, collecting timepieces, collecting antique toys, and his much loved Lionel trains. His layout, with delightful lifelike details, gave him hours and hours of enjoyment, running his trains. With pride and loving our country, he flew his American flag every day.
Lee loved our Lord, Jesus Christ and was a member of St. Matthew Lutheran Church, Lee’s Summit, MO since 1987. LeRoy was a 30 year member of the International Collectors Club of America, The Train Collectors Association. Lee and Pat produced the Mid-America Train Meet for 12 years, last at the Reardon Civic Center.
He leaves to cherish his memory: his beloved wife, Patricia; his children, Lana Wright (Jack), Laura Textor (Mark), and Lynn Ballard (Jim Stuckey); his grandchildren: Jennifer Butler (Adam), Brad Wilson (Neffie), Megan Shaw, Nathan Textor (Sarah), and Blair Ballard (Chris McNatt); his great-grandchildren: Eric Schweisberger, Emily Butler, Ethan Butler, Julia Butler, Cole Wilson, Ben Wilson, Abby Wilson, Tobias Wilson, Keegan Shaw, Wells Textor, and baby McNatt coming in March. He also leaves his sister, Arline Sasser; his brothers-in-laws: Joe (Ann), David, and Dennis (Cathy); sisters-in-law: Eileen (Lawrence), Liz (Don), and Linda (Maurice), as well as two nephews, great-nephews and a great-niece. He was preceded in death by his grandson, Brett Lee Ballard in 2011.
And, to my beloved Pat, remember, “I’ll be waiting just beyond the moon for you”, till then, “love” and be safe.