Kenneth E. Leister

April 28, 2018

Kenneth E. Leister, long-time resident of Lancaster, PA passed away, Saturday, April 28, 2018 at Masonic Village Transitional Care Unit with his wife by his side. He was born in Pottstown, PA to the late Louis Kenneth and Mary Elizabeth (Thompson) Leister. He was the devoted husband of Wilmajean Work Leister. They would have celebrated 36 years of marriage this summer.

Ken moved to Reading, PA at the age of 2 and graduated from Reading High School. He was a member of the state champion cross-country and track teams. He also played on two top independent basketball teams. After high school Ken earned a PA State License in Carpenter Construction after completing a four-year apprenticeship program. He served two years in the US Army during the Korean War. During his military time he was in the 101st Airborne and then served in the 924th Medical Ambulance Company in Germany.

Ken graduated from Millersville State Teachers College (now Millersville University) with a degree in Industrial Arts Education in 1958. He received a Masters Degree in Educational Administration from Penn State University, State College, PA. He was employed by the Manheim Township School District where he student taught, was a teacher, basketball coach and Dean of Boys/Program Coordinator for 33 years. He retired in 1990.

After retirement he worked at Antrim Bureau as a district sales rep for school assembly programs. Ken was a staple at Dean’s Christmas Trees at Brooklawn Farmers Market for fifty plus years, serving as a daytime manager. Ken also volunteered many hours as a docent at the Hershey PA National Antique Automobile Car Museum (AACA), an affiliate of the Smithsonian Institute where he was recognized for his time of service. In addition, he volunteered at Calvary Church where he was blessed with praise and worship.

Ken and his wife enjoyed traveling, especially in the United States and Canada. They explored all 50 states and all the Canadian Provinces, except 2. Three of his favorite areas include the “Tetons”, Santa Fe area and the Rocky Mountains- both US and Canada. Ken also traveled throughout Europe. In addition to his travels, Ken enjoyed home remodeling projects, bike riding, skiing, walking, running and Penn State sports. He and his wife are avid PSU fans, attending all home football games, a National Championship game as well as the Rose Bowl.

He belonged to the following organizations: Penn State University College of Education, PA Association of Secondary School Principals, Penn State University Alumni Association, Penn State Nittany Lion Club, Capital Area Chapter of the PA Sports Hall of Fame and Masonic Lodge-Charles Howe, Millersville.

In addition to his wife, Wilmajean, Ken is survived by his two children: John Kenneth Leister of Malvern, PA and Susan Anne Leister Hurley (John Hurley) of Lancaster, PA. His love for his wife and children never diminished. He was preceded in death by a sister, Jacqueline Louise Leister Focht of Muhlenberg Park, Reading, PA.
A Celebration of Ken’s life will be held at 12PM on Tuesday, May 8, 2018 at Calvary Church, 1051 Landis Valley Road, Lancaster, PA 17601. Private family interment will be held at Clearfield United Methodist Church Cemetery, New Providence, PA. In lieu of flowers memorial contributions may be made to the Children’s Miracle Network at Penn State Hershey Office of University Development P.O. Box 855, Hershey, PA 17033-0855, St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital, www.stjude.org, 262 Danny Thomas Pl, Memphis, TN 38105 or Shriners Hospital for Children, 3551 N. Broad St., Philadelphia, PA 19140.