Leslie Ivan Kirkman (“Les”) was born November 5, 1930 on his family’s farm north of Benkelman, to Ivan and Ruby (Pickens) Kirkman. After graduating in 1949 from the Benkelman High School, Les went to work for Dr. G. Albert Morehouse, where he helped Dr. Morehouse with yard work and gardening. Les learned quite a bit from Dr. Morehouse regarding landscaping and gardening, and when the Morehouse hospital in Benkelman was to be enlarged, Les had the opportunity to work with the construction crews on that project. This early exposure to construction spawned a love of carpentry and construction that Les followed the remainder of his life as a Master Carpenter.
In 1951, Les enlisted in the United States Army, and he served for two years in Korea with the U.S. Army Signal Corps. After being honorably discharged in 1953, Les returned to Benkelman where he resumed building houses with his brother Quentin.
[Click image to enlarge] In 1951, Les enlisted in the United States Army, and he served for two years in Korea with the U.S. Army Signal Corps. After being honorably discharged in 1953, Les returned to Benkelman where he resumed building houses with his brother Quentin.
On October 9, 1955, Les married Phyllis Howard of Max, Nebraska, the daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Harley Howard. They were married in the Max Methodist Church. The couple made their home in Max for many years, and after the Max High School was closed, Les purchased the land and the buildings, eventually using the bricks from the old school to build their home. The school gymnasium became Les’s garage and workshop. It was featured on Nebraska TV’s “Road Less Travelled” series where it was billed as the “World’s Largest Garage.”
At the time of his death, on July 31, 2008, Les was survived by his wife of 52 years, Phyllis; their son Neal; Les’s sisters: Eula Ham of Benkelman and Bonnie Randall of Houghton Lake, Michigan; and his brother Ashley Kirkman (and wife Alta) of Gladstone, Oregon.
Les had been preceded in death by his parents and his brother Quentin.
At the time of his death, on July 31, 2008, Les was survived by his wife of 52 years, Phyllis; their son Neal; Les’s sisters: Eula Ham of Benkelman and Bonnie Randall of Houghton Lake, Michigan; and his brother Ashley Kirkman (and wife Alta) of Gladstone, Oregon.
Les had been preceded in death by his parents and his brother Quentin.
Phyllis Nadine Kirkman was born June 15, 1937 in Max, Nebraska to Harley and Selma (Brynoff) Howard.
Phyllis lived her entire life in Max, and graduated from Max High School in 1954. She was active in the community, belonging to both the Max Happy Red Hatters and the Max Community Club, and serving as a volunteer at the Stratton Senior Center in Stratton, Nebraska. Phyllis was also a lifelong member of the Max Methodist Church, where she played both the piano and organ for over 35 years, beginning when she was only 11 years old, and continuing up until the Sunday prior to her death. She served the church as both Church Secretary and Church Treasurer for many years.
Phyllis passed away at the age of 75 on February 28, 2013. She was preceded in death by her parents and her husband, Les. She is survived by their son, Neal.
Both Les and Phyllis are interred at the Benkelman Cemetery in Benkelman, Nebraska.
Phyllis lived her entire life in Max, and graduated from Max High School in 1954. She was active in the community, belonging to both the Max Happy Red Hatters and the Max Community Club, and serving as a volunteer at the Stratton Senior Center in Stratton, Nebraska. Phyllis was also a lifelong member of the Max Methodist Church, where she played both the piano and organ for over 35 years, beginning when she was only 11 years old, and continuing up until the Sunday prior to her death. She served the church as both Church Secretary and Church Treasurer for many years.
Phyllis passed away at the age of 75 on February 28, 2013. She was preceded in death by her parents and her husband, Les. She is survived by their son, Neal.
Both Les and Phyllis are interred at the Benkelman Cemetery in Benkelman, Nebraska.