Lester E. Palmer

He was born July 22, 1941 in Emporia, Kansas and moved to Kansas City after college. He spent 40 years in the finance division of Hallmark Cards, where he was a respected manager, recognized for his skills in specialized areas of financial reporting. Les was also an active community volunteer and leader throughout the years. Most importantly, he was a loving husband, father and grandfather; a true gentle man.

Les was born and raised on the family farm in Plymouth, southwest of Emporia. When he began to walk, there were immediate problems. His right leg’s tibia broke repeatedly when he put weight on it. Several years of therapy and surgeries didn’t work which led to doctors amputate below his knee. Les had no idea this was about to happen until he woke up from the anesthesia to discover his lower leg was gone, a terrible trauma for a six-year-old. Later, he was diagnosed with Neurofibromatosis, the cause of the weak tibia. He adjusted to life with his prosthesis and led an active life and many times had fun with his condition and “spare leg.”

He attended a two-room school until high school. After high school, he went to the College of Emporia, where he earned a BA in Business in 1963. After graduation he briefly lived in Topeka, then moved to Kansas City. He joined Hallmark Cards in 1967. When asked if he was in the creative division, he always replied that he was a “creative accountant”. In reality, he focused on Cost Accounting and depreciation, becoming the go-to manager for this very specialized area. He never tired of creating spreadsheets and ledgers, even in retirement. His work ethic was such that while caring for his first wife Joy during her final illness, he received three promotions.

Within weeks of Joy’s death in 1979, he met Tanya and they were married 12 months later. The suddenness of all that was a shock to everyone, including themselves, but it was the best decision. They celebrated their 44th anniversary in December. When daughter Hillary was born in 1985, Les’ true calling as a father and husband began. Whether it was getting his nails painted, eating foods prepared by an eight-year-old, chauffeuring giggly tween girls around town or escorting a teenaged synchronized swimmer to the national competitions in Florida, he was engaged in all he did and loved doing it.

Community service was important also. Although he never lived there, Les became a leader in Shawnee, Kansas civic life, specifically Old Shawnee Days and the Shawnee Town Craft Fair. He logged more than 30 years’ consecutive service (and thousands of man hours) to making those two events successful.

Because Les and Tanya both knew that their disabilities would prematurely end their ability to travel, they and Hillary traveled extensively while the “gettin was good”. There were trips to Hawaii, England, and Italy, where Les walked the Roman Forum twice. He took a business trip to Hong Kong and Japan, sailed around the Cape Horn at the tip of South America and walked through the jungle to see Iguazu Falls from both sides: Argentina and Brazil. Most of all, Les and Tanya loved the eastern Caribbean, especially the islands of Barbados and Nevis. It was on Barbados at age 62 that Les was finally able to wade into the ocean for the first time ever, thanks to the help of a local man who kept his prosthesis protected from the water.

He was preceded in death by his four siblings and first wife, Joy. He is survived by his wife of 44 years, Tanya, his daughter Hillary Croy (husband Stephen) and his two grandchildren Carine and Ronan. The family is forever grateful to the caring staff of Bishop Spencer Place, especially in these last five months.

A Memorial Service will be held in the Chapel of Bishop Spencer Place, 4301 Madison Avenue, Kansas City, MO on Wednesday, February 19 at 2:00pm. Reception to follow.

A Graveside Service for Les will be held Wednesday, February 19, 2025 from 11:15am to 12:15pm at Mount Moriah Cemetery, 10507 Holmes Road, Kansas City, MO 64131.