Leslie 'Les' Berends
August 23, 1930 — April 12, 2015
Leslie Everett Berends of Indianola, Nebraska passed away Sunday, April 12, 2015 at Angel Bright Hospice in Corpus Christi, Texas. He was 84 years old.
Leslie was born on August 23, 1930 at Harris, Iowa to parents Chris and Jenny Lois (Noble) Berends.
On March 10, 1951 he was united in marriage to Lois Marie Mohni at Ocheyedan, Iowa. To this union three children were born.
Les and Lois began their life together farming in central Iowa. After several years on the farm Les took a job with a road construction crew. This took the family to many places throughout the North central United States. In 1970 Les started his own earthmoving contracting business. He built roads, driveways and leveled for construction sites until his retirement in 1996. Upon retiring he and Lois enjoyed many years traveling and spending winters in Aransas Pass, Texas. Les loved hunting, fishing and spending time with his family. He was a collector of watch fobs, enjoyed going to auctions and kept everyone entertained with his many stories from his childhood and construction days.
Les leaves behind many friends and family and will be greatly missed by all.
Preceding him in death were his parents, Chris and Jenny Berends; sister, Pearl Frerichs; brother, Archie Berends; sister-in-law, Doris Manitz; and brother-in-law, Ray Mohni.
Survivors include his wife of 64 years, Lois Berends of Indianola, NE; sons, Bruce Berends and wife, Sue, of Centennial, CO; Kent Berends and wife, Karen, of Kiowa, CO; and daughter, Lynn and husband, Joe Witte, of Cambridge, NE; sister, Irma Gonnerman of Littleton, CO; eight grandchildren, Leah (Mike) McCurdy, Russell (Amanda) Berends, Kelly (Jesse) Backlund, Kendra (Scott) Forney, Keri Backlund, Kelsey Berends, Tyler Sewell and Jared Sewell; six great-grandchildren; numerous nieces, nephews, family and a host of friends.
In lieu of flowers memorials may be given to the Indianola United Methodist Church.
Memorial services will be Saturday, April 18, 2015, 10:00 a.m. at Indianola United Methodist Church with Rev. Jeff Wulf officiating. A private family inurnment will be held at a later time.