Leslie Lewis

Leslie A. “Les” Lewis passed away at age 84 after a long and full life. Born in Des Moines, Iowa, to Dolores and Rex Lewis, he grew up in Coon Rapids, Iowa, where he helped on the family farm and excelled in athletics. His talent on the track team earned him a scholarship to the University of Northern Iowa, where he completed a master’s degree in mathematics. In 1967, he married Phyllis North Anderson in Des Moines, Iowa, and became a father to her 3-year-old daughter, LaVon “Bonnie”. In 1969, they had daughter, Marie “Kate”.

After earning his graduate degree in 1969, Les worked as an administrator with Des Moines Public Schools and later with the State Department of Public Instruction. In 1976, he moved to Denison to live on his wife’s family farm and taught math, science, and physics at Denison Community High School until he retired.

His students remember him not only for his knowledge but also for the humor and passion he brought to the classroom. Many fondly recall him throwing an eraser at the board for maximum chalk-dust impact, a gesture that never failed to recapture a wandering student’s attention.

A lifelong horseman, Les raised and trained horses well into his seventies. He also found joy and adventure on the water as an avid sailor. At one point, he ran for the Iowa State Legislature. When he lost that election, he went sailing, remarking with a smile that perhaps he was the real winner after all.

Throughout his lifetime, Les managed two farms and took on endless home remodeling projects during summer breaks from teaching. He shared all these adventures with his wife and partner of more than 50 years, Phyllis North Lewis.

In later years, Les faced the challenges of Alzheimer’s disease, which altered aspects of his personality and sometimes led him to act in ways at odds with the man his family had always known. Through every stage, his family loved him deeply and remained steadfast in their care until his passing. May he rest in peace.

Les is survived by his ex-wife, Phyllis North Lewis; two daughters, Katherine Marie North (David Voggesser) of Illinois, and LaVon Kellner (Tom Roush) of New York; two grandchildren, Chloe Kellner of New York and David “Daithi” Brady, along with Daithi’s partner, Arianna Buchholz, of Illinois; and two sisters, Christie Hansen (James) of Colorado and Sandra Textor (Richard) of Iowa. He is also remembered by many nieces, nephews, extended family members, and dear friends.

Services will be held on November 29, 2025, at the Presbyterian Church at a time to be announced. Memorial donations may be made in Les’s name to the Alzheimer’s Association or the BrightFocus Foundation for Alzheimer’s Disease Research.