LES KASSING

1930 - 2014

LES KASSING, passed away on Monday, May 5, 2014, in Colleyville. Les lived an amazing life of faith and was a loving husband, father, grandfather, and brother. Four sons, one daughter and 18 grandchildren have been baptized in the faith by his example and the power of the Holy Spirit. And this is his legacy. His family knows that Les is in heaven, a promise kept by his Savior. He was born on Nov. 7, 1930, in Indianapolis, Ind. He married his high school sweetheart, Vanita Kleinschmidt on May 1, 1954, after serving in the Army during the Korean War. From 1957 to 1963, Les and Vanita's five children were born and baptized. Les completed his law degree (Order of the Coif) at Indiana University in 1958. He then joined the Trust Department at Indiana Bank & Trust, in Fort Wayne, where he remained until 1971, rising to executive vice president. In 1971, Les accepted the opportunity to become CEO of Jefferson Bank in Peoria, Ill., where he remained though November of 1981. From 1982 to 1984, Les was president of Southwestern Bank in Oklahoma City, Okla. In 1987, Les founded a software company called MARQUIS, which is currently run by his four sons and employs over 70 people. MARQUIS embodies the spirit of Les Kassing by living out his business philosophy: do everything with integrity, be generous, fair and trustworthy in all things. Throughout his life and career, Les was ever generous with his time, talents and money in support of Concordia Lutheran High School, in Fort Wayne (his alma mater), Lutheran education, numerous philanthropic and leadership boards, and the Lutheran Home in Peoria, Ill. Les also served in church leadership wherever he lived. Les was known by family and friends to be a man of high integrity, living and working for God's kingdom and the promise of life eternal. Surviving are his bride of 60 years, Vanita C. Kassing who has beautifully cared for him the last few years; son, John (Susan) Kassing, and their children, Ryan, Lauren and Peter; son, Jeff (Diane) Kassing, and their children, Michael, Kati and Scott; son, Judson (Robin) Kassing, and their children, Hadley, Grant and Peyton; son, Jay (Jennifer) Kassing, and their children, Jack, Emily, Audrey, Ella, and Jet; daughter, Julie (Robert) Norris, and their children, Sarah (Daniel) Jensen, Matthew, David, and Kristin; brother, Tony (Nancy) Kassing of Fort Wayne; brother, Robert (Troy) Kassing of Indianapolis, Ind.; sister, Susi (Robert) Dettmer of Fort Wayne; and many other extended family and friends. Memorial service is 11 a.m. Wednesday, May 14, 2014, at Peace Lutheran Church, 941 W. Bedford Euless Road, Hurst, Texas. The family will receive friends from 5 to 7 p.m. Tuesday, May 13, 2014, at Lucas Funeral Home, 1321 Precinct Line Road, Hurst, Texas. To honor Les the family requests contributions to the Concordia Educational Foundation, Inc., Fort Wayne, Ind.