Dane R. Leister Obituary
A funeral service to honor his life will be held at Joldersma & Klein Funeral Home on Thursday, January 4, 2024, beginning at 11:00 a.m. The family will receive friends from 10:00 a.m. to 11:00a.m., one hour prior to the service. Interment will follow at Portage South Cemetery. Memorial contributions may be given to Oakwood Bible Church, c/o the funeral home.
Age 84, went to be with the Lord on December 31, 2023, with family at his side. He was born in New York City on February 19, 1939, the son of the late Dale and Mary (Feehrer) Leister. Dane grew up in Pennsylvania and attended Sunbury High School where he would meet the love of his life, Iris Thomas. They were united in marriage on August 17, 1958 and have been together ever since. Together they moved to Southwest Michigan where Dane took a job as manager of the Sveden House restaurant. He would later purchase the restaurant and it became Dane's Buffet. Dane also operated Dane's Tours for several years and enjoyed trips to Branson, New England, Wisconsin, Washington D.C. and many other places. When not working he loved spending time at home, taking care of his fishpond and fish tanks, building and playing with model trains and spending time with family and friends. He had a strong faith and was a member of Oakwood Bible Church. Dane was a wonderful husband, father, grandfather and great-grandfather who leaves behind wonderful memories to cherish. Dane is survived by his wife, Iris Leister; two children, Candice (Peter) DeHaan and Cynthia (Phil) Gryder; grandchildren, Laura (Christopher) Alexander, Daniel (Kelli) DeHaan, Philip Gryder; great-grandchildren, Jonathan and Abigail Alexander, Colton, Kolby and Rhett DeHaan; extended family and friends.
