Leland B. Austen of Pleasant Dale, NE was born on February 23, 1923, in Powell, NE to Charles Edison Austen and Mary Agnes (Powell) Austen and passed away on February 3, 2013, at the age of 89 years, 11 months and 11 days. Leland grew up in Fairbury, NE where he graduated with the Fairbury High School class of 1939. After high school he worked for the Union Pacific Railroad until 1943 when he enlisted in the United States Army. Upon discharge from the Army he returned to Fairbury where he worked as a Signal Maintainer with the Rock Island Railroad. On December 25, 1947, Leland married Verneda Fox at Immanuel Lutheran Church in Daykin, NE, and they moved to Norton, KS where Lee continued his work with the railroad. In 1953, Lee and Verneda moved to Pleasant Dale, NE when they purchased the Pleasant Dale Lumber and Oil Company. Lee owned and operated the lumber company for 26 years. After they sold the lumber company he worked for the U.S. Postal Service as a rural letter carrier for a number of years. Throughout his life he served Pleasant Dale in many capacities, including as Mayor, Assistant Fire Chief, volunteer firefighter and as a member of the town council. He was a long time member of Bethlehem Lutheran Church and the American Legion Post #354 in Pleasant Dale. He enjoyed traveling, fishing and the sunshine of South Texas where he and Verneda spent many a winter during his retirement years. Survivors include his wife of 65 years, Verneda Austen of Pleasant Dale, NE; three daughters, Cheryl Leavitt and husband Robert of Omaha, NE; Kathy Austen of Northfield, MN; and Janice Stahly and husband Patrick of Northfield, MN; 6 grandchildren; 2 great grandchildren and a third great grandchild due to be welcomed into the family at any time. Preceded in death by his parents, two brothers, Wesley and Doyle Austen and one sister, June Wolcott. Lee was a loving and devoted family man, and a caring, supportive, and generous friend who will be greatly missed by all. Memorial contributions may be made in Lee's honor to the Bethlehem Lutheran Church, the Pleasant Dale Fire Department or the Pleasant Dale American Legion Post #354. To this obituary we add our thoughts, prayers and memories of life shared with Leland.