George Edward Liesmann

George E. Liesmann, 97, Topeka was called to his heavenly home on October 10, 2022.
George was born April 19, 1925 in Indianapolis, IN, the son of Henry and Sophia (Donaldson) Liesmann. George married Eileen Johnston on April 27, 1946. They enjoyed 74 years of marriage before Eileen went to be with Jesus on June 11, 2020. Survivors include their three children: George Jr. (Nancy) Liesmann, Jill (Paul) Glinka and Rick Liesmann (Nancy Dixon), 7 grandchildren and 16 great grandchildren.
George was preceded in death by his wife Eileen, his parents, brother Jacob and sisters Dorothea (Barnes) and Naomi (Alberter).
George graduated from Roosevelt High School in St. Louis, MO. He enlisted in the Army Air Corps in 1943 to serve his country in WWII. As a tail gunner on a B-26, he flew missions over Germany and was shot down one day after his 20th birthday. After seven days he made his way back to the American lines on foot.
His love of flying began in 1942, when as a 17-year old high school student, he purchased flying lessons. After the war he owned several planes that he piloted for business and pleasure.
When George returned from the war, he and Eileen were married. He studied business and finance at Michigan State University and Washington University in St. Louis in preparation for his position as a regional manager for the Chrysler Corporation in St. Louis and Southern Illinois. His career in the automotive industry included positions as President of Clayton Motors and General Manager of Vincel Pontiac, where he achieved status as the fastest growing Pontiac dealer in the country. His 15 years in the automobile business helped foster his lifelong LOVE of cars.
In 1962, a friend asked him to leave St. Louis and the auto industry to become president of a plastics manufacturing company in Milwaukee, WI where he then relocated his family. George expanded the business and opened new manufacturing facilities in Belleville, KS and Monticello, IA. In 1970, he relocated the headquarters to Topeka where he and Eileen would live for 35 years. Over the next several decades George would be involved in several other business adventures.
In 1967, he purchased and worked continuously on upgrading the family's beloved cottage on Pleasant Lake in Northern Minnesota. Many of his fondest memories are of entertaining friends at Pleasant Point and watching his children and grandchildren enjoy the lake and "project opportunities".
George delighted in taking Eileen on annual trips to countries all around the world. When they turned 80, George and Eileen moved to Hot Springs Village, AR where they enjoyed new friends and their beloved "Village" retirement community for 11 years. At 91 years of age, they were encouraged to return to Topeka to be close to family and took up residence at McCrite Plaza.
Throughout the years in St. Louis, MO, Milwaukee, WI, and Topeka, KS, George served on numerous hospital, church, school, and community boards and associations. He instilled a strong work ethic in his children striving to provide them with fun memories and many opportunities for learning, working and always improving and taking care of things.
Family graveside services were held Friday, October 14th, at Mt. Hope Cemetery. In April 2023, the family will gather to celebrate the lives of both George and Eileen on what would have been their 77th wedding anniversary.