D. Keith Lesher

D. Keith Lesher, age 88, lived a long and happy life filled with his beloved wife, Brenda, a loving family and many friends. Keith went peacefully to be with his Savior Jesus, while surrounded by his family in his home on January 5, 2018. Memorial Service will be Friday, January 12, 2018, at 10:00 A.M., at Holy Cross Lutheran Church. Keith was a retired bank president, financial planner, and NASD arbitrator. Keith was commissioned in the Air Force through R.O.T.C. at Wichita State University and served as an Intelligence Officer at 5th Air Force Headquarters Korea. Following honorable discharge from the Air Force at the conclusion of the Korean conflict, he entered private business and worked in the banking industry for over 25 years. Keith served as President and Trust Officer of East Side National Bank in Wichita and President of East Side National Travel Agency. He moved to Nebraska in 1977 and developed a chain of seven Valentinos Restaurants in Nebraska and Colorado. He subsequently worked as a financial planner for fourteen years in Derby and Wichita. He majored in Business Administration at WSU and also received Masters degrees in banking from the University of Wisconsin and Northwestern University. Keith has been a member of both the Derby and Wichita Chamber of Commerce, serving on their Military Affairs Committee, member of the Rotary Club and the Friends of McConnell, a civilian group dedicated to providing support to our military friends and their families. Keith is past president of the Friends of McConnell and is the recipient of the Golden Eagle Award McConnell Air Force base. He has traveled abroad extensively, but one of his most memorable trips was to go on the Kansas Honor Flight with his grandson, Nate, as his guardian. Preceded in death by his parents, Earl and Barbara Lesher; son-in-law, Paul Ludwig. Survived by his wife, Brenda, of 40 years; daughters, Stephanie Ludwig, Kim Denny, Mindy (Dean) Tullis; son, David (Kathy) Lesher; sister, Barbara Crotchett; grandchildren, Bryan Lesher, Eric Lesher, Kristopher Ludwig, Katie Lesher, Nate Brewer. A special thanks for the loving care of Phoenix Home Care & Hospice. Memorials have been established with: Holy Cross Lutheran Church, 600 N. Greenwich Rd., Wichita, KS 67206; Friends of McConnell c/o Wichita Chamber of Commerce, 350 W. Douglas Ave., Wichita, KS 67202. Downing & Lahey Mortuary - East Chapel.