Leland Clarence Pallister, 93, passed away Oct. 17, 2022, at Hospice House in Hutchinson, Kansas.
He was born Sept. 22, 1929, in Hutchinson, to Glenn C. Pallister and Minnie (Hauschild) Pallister.
Leland was a 1947 graduate of Nickerson High School, Nickerson, Kansas. He graduated from Hutchinson Community College (HCC), formerly Hutchinson Community Junior College, in 1949 and was a member of the HCC Blue Dragons basketball team that was the runner-up in the 1949 National Junior College Athletic Association National Basketball Tournament.
Leland was a farmer and rancher for over 50 years and drove a school bus for Nickerson-South Hutchinson USD309 for over 30 years. He attended Midland Community United Church of Christ in Sterling, Kansas, and Trinity United Methodist Church in Hutchinson.
Leland married Betty Lou Collins. She died Nov. 24, 1992. He then married Dorothy (Bray) Perez.
Leland is survived by his wife, Dorothy Pallister of Hutchinson; children, Craig (Sue) Pallister of Hays, Kansas, and Pamela (Dwayne) Upton of Merriam, Kansas; three grandchildren; one great-granddaughter; sister-in-law, Barbara Pallister; stepsons, John (Jennifer) Perez of Pittsburg, Jeff (LeeAnn) Perez of Parsons, and Rod Perez of Arma; seven step-grandchildren; eight step-great-grandchildren; and two step-great-great-grandchildren.
He was preceded in death by his parents; wife, Betty Lou Pallister; siblings, Lyle Pallister and Aurel Lea Pallister; grandson, Paul Upton; and one step-granddaughter.
The memorial service will be 1 p.m. Friday, Oct. 21, 2022, at Elliott Mortuary, with the Reverend Dr. Kim Biery officiating. Burial will be at a later date in the Lyons Municipal Cemetery, Lyons, Kansas. Friends may sign the book from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Wednesday, Oct. 19, 2022, and Thursday, Oct. 20, 2022, at Elliott Mortuary.
In lieu of flowers, memorials are suggested to Trinity United Methodist Church, Midland Community United Church of Christ, or Hospice House, in care of Elliott Mortuary and Crematory, 1219 N. Main, Hutchinson, Kansas.
