Pastor Leander H. “Lee” Anske
Pastor Leander H. “Lee” Anske, 82, a retired local pastor, died Oct. 28, 2016. A memorial service was held Nov. 4 at the Lower Marsh Creek Presbyterian Church in Fairfield, Pa.
Leander H. Anske was born Aug. 31, 1934, to Doryth Montgomery and Lt. Col. Leander H. Anske Sr. in Jacksonville, Fla. He lived in North Carolina, Texas and California before settling in Maryland.
He served Morgan Chapel Charge in Woodbine as senior pastor from 1999-2001; Flohrville UMC in Sykesville, 2000-2001; followed by two years at the Salem Charge in Hebbville. He retired in 2003.
At 17, he joined the US Coast Guard when his mother forbade him to follow his stepfather, Captain “Monty” Montgomery, into the US Marines. Montgomery became an MIA. Anske retired after 33 years in the Department of Defense.
He then attended Wesley Theological Seminary and became the pastor of several small churches. He also served on many Emmaus retreats as the Spiritual Director.
Anske became well known as a master woodcarver, studying at a school in Germany. After teaching himself to hand make nutcrackers, he, “The Yankee Chipper”, demonstrated them at the Smithsonian Institute for many years, at which time he donated that year’s model. Many churches have statues and plaques he carved, serving to memorialize him.
He was also an avid radio-controlled airplane hobbyist.
He often farewelled someone by saying, “My boss is your co-pilot; make sure you get him home safely for me.”
He was preceded in death by his wife of 53 years, Lois Anske.
Survivors include his wife June, and children: Lee Anske III, Cheryl Harding, Steven Anske, Len Williams Anske and their spouses, 11 grandchildren and six great grandchildren.