On Wednesday, November 25, 2020, Leslie Eugene Makinster, husband, father, and proud U.S. marine, passed away at the age of 92. A memorial service will be held at 2:00 p.m., Monday, December 21 at Chaney-Reager Funeral Home with Dr. Cody Perry officiating.

Les was born June 15, 1928 in Madrid, NE to Hubert and Lavina Makinster. He valiantly served the nation as a member of the 3 ^rd Marine Aircraft Wing in the Pacific Theater during WWII and again during the Korean War. Les married the love of his life, Barbara (Janice), on March 22, 1951 in Salinas, CA. After his military service ended, Les and Janice moved to Sterling, CO where they raised their four children, Eugene, Sherrie, Tammie, and Raymond. Les was passionate about aviation, gardening, music, and loved to entertain family with stories of his childhood and military service.

Les enjoyed traveling to auctions and refurbishing items that caught his eye. He loved flying and working on planes and enjoyed playing music for family and friends. You could often catch him watching the Big Joe Polka show or playing his guitar, dulcimer, or another of his many prized instruments. His memory will live on in all those whose lives he touched through his forgiving and loving nature and the stories he told.

Les was preceded in death by his mother and father, Levina and Hubert Makinster, and grandson, Shaun Makinster.

Les is survived by his loving wife Janice, his sister Elaine Chafin of Lebanon, OR, his children, Eugene and Penny Makinster of Sterling; Sherrie Makinster of Sterling; Tammie Makinster of Kimball, NE; and Raymond Makinster of Greeley, grandchildren, Rocky Makinster of Sterling, Annette and Cody Perry of Laredo, TX, Amber Makinster of Sterling, Dawn-Rae Makinster of Kimball, Gilbert Makinster of Kimball, Cory Makinster of Sterling and April Makinster of Sterling, and great-grandchildren, Sean Makinster, Cody Kaepernik, Tyler Makinster, Davonti Hernandez, JayLee Makinster and JayLynn Makinster.