Glen Richard Lefler, of Lincoln, NE died on January 10, 2025. Glen was born on January 5, 1940 in Geneva, NE to Claude A. and Grace D. Lefler. He grew up on the family farm North of Fairmont. He attended Fairmont Public School and graduated with the class of 1958. He graduated from the Reisch American School of Auctioneering in 1958 and then attended the University of Nebraska—Lincoln graduating from the college of Agriculture in 1962. Following graduation he joined and served in the Army Reserve.
In 1963 he started a career with Doane Agricultural Service, Inc. as a Real Estate appraiser and appraised Real Estate for them in Nebraska and Kansas. While in Nebraska, he met and married Ellen J. Karpisek on May 22, 1965. In 1966, they moved to Kearney, NE where Glen started a new career with the Federal Land Bank Association of Kearney as a loan officer. While in Kearney they were blessed with the addition of a son Craig and daughter Kim. In 1977, Glen was promoted to President of the Federal Land Bank Association of Kearney. Through the years in Kearney, Glen and Ellen were active members in the First United Methodist Church. They were members of the Kearney Country Club and Glen was active in all of the Ag Organizations, including being a member of the Fort Kearney Livestock Feeders Association, member of the Premier Pork Producers, member/director of the Buffalo County Corn Growers Association, member of the Ag Committee of the Chamber and served as Chairman, and Director of the Mid Nebraska Ag Ambassadors. He served as a member of the Board of Trustee’s for the Good Samaritan Hospital, member of the Kearney Area Chamber of Commerce and did serve as President of the Board and was a member of the Kearney Elks Lodge.
In a reorganization of the Farm Credit System in 1985, he was selected President of the Lincoln, Nebraska region and moved with his family to Lincoln. He continued working for the Farm Credit System in different leadership positions until 1997 when he entered the real estate profession selling farms and ranches for United Farm & Ranch Management. He also formed Lefler Professional Services which provided purchased services for the NRCS’s Wetland Reserve Program. Glen and Ellen are active members of St. Mark’s United Methodist Church and Glen was a member of the Lincoln Chamber of Commerce, Nebraska Agri-Business Club, Executive Club, Downtown Athletic Club, Hillcrest Country Club, Chancellor’s Club of the University of Nebraska Foundation, a member of the President’s Society of the University of Nebraska, American Legion, and Ducks Unlimited.
Glen enjoyed helping others enjoy success whether they were family, friends, business associates or customers. His true joy was in seeing his kids grow and develop personally and professionally and for his grandkids to enjoy success and many accomplishments. Glen enjoyed the outdoors, hunting, fishing, boating, gardening, raising roses, maintaining a small orchard and playing golf. He enjoyed supporting and watching his children participate in all of their sports events. As a grandfather, Glen was the #1 Fan for his grandchildren’s sporting events, including attending many soccer games, basketball games, football games and hundreds of golf tournaments. He treasured watching his grandchildren play golf and could recall so many miraculous shots through the years. He was also an avid Husker fan.
Glen had an unparalleled gift for connecting with people. His genuine curiosity and warmth allowed him to forge deep and lasting relationships, leaving a legacy of kindness and camaraderie. Glen’s life was a testament to the power of family, community and hard work. His unwavering love for his family and passion for connecting with others left a lasting impression on all who knew him. He was truly one-of-a-kind, and a great role model in all aspects of his life!
Glen is survived by his wife Ellen, daughter and son-in-law Kim and Albert Whittaker of Elkhorn, NE; daughter-in-law Heidi (Haywood) Lefler, of Elkhorn, NE; grandchildren Megan and Andrew Whittaker, Emma and Hannah Lefler and niece, Sandy and Dave Cunning, Lincoln; nephew, Sam Shaw, Lincoln; and many other relatives and friends. He is preceded in death by his son Craig S. Lefler; his parents Claude A. and Grace D. Lefler; stepmother, Elsie Lefler; sister and brother-in-law, Donna and Jerry Shaw.
A celebration of Glen’s life will be held Friday, January 17, 2025 at 11:00 a.m. at St. Mark’s United Methodist Church (8550 Pioneers Blvd, Lincoln, NE 68520).
Memorials designated to St. Mark’s United Methodist Church or UNL Foundation.
Services
Celebration of Life
11:00 am
St. Mark’s United Methodist Church
8550 Pioneers Blvd, Lincoln, NE 68520
Share a Memory or Condolence
Glen guided all of us at the Federal Land Bank in Kearney as we stretched and grew and then downsized when the farm economy suffered in the 80’s. He always had a positive outlook. He was a great mentor to the newest staff member or the seasoned ones. Glen was devoted to his work, his family and his community. My thoughts, prayers and sympathy go out to you Ellen and all of your family.
– Verlene Jacoby
I met Glen in the late 1990s while working for NRCS in Lincoln. What started as a working relationship quickly become a friendship…one that lasted a lifetime. Glen had a passion for helping people. He assisted landowners as they sold easements to NRCS through the Wetlands Reserve Program. Glen was successful in helping to record easements on tens of thousands of acres of agricultural lands in Nebraska. Glen was one of the smartest men I ever knew; but what set him apart was his willingness to share his knowledge with me. Glen was a people person, with the ability to bring folks together for the common good. After we both retired, we remained in touch. I fondly remember our visits over a cup or two of coffee that would go on for hours. I loved hearing Glen talk proudly about his kids or grandkids activities…his eyes would sparkle as he relayed to me a story about recent golf outings or sporting events. My deepest sympathies to Ellen and family. Glen will be missed by me and all who were fortunate enough to know him. God bless.
– Randy Epperson
Our heartfelt sympathy to you Ellen and to the entire Lefler family. Working with Glen at Farm Credit Services was a pleasure. He knew the finer points of agriculture and was acquainted with many people engaged in ag in some manner. He was willing to take me “under his wing” and bring me up to speed about what was really happening in the industry. I’ll never forget telling Glen years ago that we had just purchased our first farm. He asked what the diameter of the irrigation well was and the gallon per minute output the well was rated at. Of course I didn’t have a clue!! I was very embarrassed but I learned – know the important details!
– Jim & Nancy VanKirk
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