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.