KANE, Lester 'Les' Eugene 1934 - 2015

KANE, HENDRICKS, BALDERSON, GERHART, MANDSAGER, WIEDENFIELD, COOPER, HARSHMAN, FERRELL, RODENMAYER, GANDERS

Posted By: Joey Stark
Date: 2/5/2015 at 12:27:04

"The Fairfield Ledger"
Thursday, January 29, 2015
Page 8

Lester 'Les' Eugene KANE

Lester "Les" Eugene KANE, age 80 of Surprise, AZ, died peacefully at his home on Thursday, January 15, 2015, surrounded by his children.

Les was born July 1, 1934, in Fairfield, IA, to Earl and Hazel (nee HENDRICKS) KANE. He was "Number 7" of 11 children, nine who survived. He graduated from Fairfield High School in 1953, the University of Iowa (B.S. Engineering) in 1959, and University of Chicago (M.B.A.) in 1970.

In August 1954, he married his high school sweetheart, Mary Ann (nee) BALDERSON. They had three daughters, Kathryn Lynn, Kristin Sue, and Susan Ann and moved from Fairfield, IA, to Chicago Heights, IL, for his work with Bell Telephone company. They separated in 1961 and divorced in May 1962.

In May 1961, he met Patricia Ferne (nee) GERHART. They married in June 1962, had two children, Douglas Stuart and Cynthia Lynnette GERHART, and made their home in Arlington Heights, IL. He and Pat later retired to Baton Rouge, LA, then Surprise, AZ.

Les enjoyed a successful career with Bell Telephone and wa s (sic) one of the "master minds" of the company's mandated 1984 break-up. He then had several other entrepreneurial adventures in the early stages of digital telecommunications, including updating the Russian, Belarusian, and Kazakhstan systems.

In his younger years, Les was an all-star athlete, award-winning Toastmaster, recipient of several company and civic awards, and championship baseball, basketball, and football coach. Still active in his golden years, he was recognized as the Republican of the Year in 2000, included in the Republican Presidential Honor Roll in 2005, and awarded the Congressional Order of Merit by the National Republican Congessional Committee in 2006 and 2007. He received invitations to both inaugurations to President George W. Bush. Among his most prized achievements was a Hole in 1 at the Shenandoah Country Club (Hole #17, 156 yards) in 1998.

Les' interests included sports (particularly golf), travel, and most of all, his family. He regularly visited his brothers and sisters, as well as religiously attended the biannual KANE family reunion until his health declined.

Les is survived by children Kathryn MANDSAGER of Johnston, IA Kristin WIEDENFELD of Sandy, UT, Susan COOPER HARSHMAN of Centerville, IA, Douglas KANE of Scottsdale, AZ, and Cynthia KANE of Kailua, HI. He has 10 grandchildren (with one on the way), and seven great-grandchildren. Of his eight siblings, he is survived by his siblings Alice FERRELL (#5) of Fairfield, IA, Lee KANE (#6) of Urbandale, IA, and Janyce RODENMAYER-GANDERS (#8) of Wamic, OR. He is predeceased by his parents, Earl and Hazel, and wife, Patricia.

A memorial service will be held at Glueckert Funeral Home, 1520 North Arlington Heights Road, Arlington Heights, IL 60004, on Saturday, February 7, 2015 at 1:00 PM. The graveside committal will follow at Memory Gardens Cemetery, 2501 East Euclid, Arlington Heights, IL, 60004.

Gifts in Les' name may be sent to the Arlington Heights Park District: http://www.ahparkfoundation.org

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*Transcribed for genealogy purposes; I have no relation to the person(s) mentioned.

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