Les Lanser

The MAB has learned that longtime West Michigan Christian radio owner Les Lanser passed away July 30th at the age of 91.  Lanser, along with his family, own WPNW-AM/WJQK-FM in Zeeland.

In 1983, Lanser purchased the AM station (then with the call letters WWJQ) from Peter VandenBosch.  Lanser had already been manager of both WWJQ then-sister WJBL-FM. In 1986, Lanser and a business partner purchased crosstown WZND-FM, then a country-music radio station, changed the call letters to WJQK and adopted a Christian Hot AC format.

Lanser was one of the pioneers in bringing the Contemporary Christian format to what it is today. Originally all of the Christian formatted stations played teaching/preaching programs as a part of their lineup. Feeling the quality of the Christian stations was lacking, he went with a full music based format. Lanser had always pushed the staff to bring the level of quality in the Christian format to and past the level that secular stations were at. Radio has never been a job for him. It is truly his life and his hobby and everything else all rolled into who he is. According to his staff, you would not find someone more passionate about radio.

Lanser was a member of the Rotary Club of Holland for several years and served as Club President for the Rotary year 1989-1990. He and his wife Trish supported the The Rotary Foundation and were named Paul Harris Fellows. Lanser was named an Honorary Member of the Rotary Club of Holland.

Les Lanser is survived by his wife, Ramona Lanser; children, Vaughn and Del Rae Lanser, Greg Lanser, Steve and Gwen Lanser, Vicki and Dale Boven, Rick and Brenda Lanser, Curt Lanser, Brad and Diane Lanser; stepchildren, Heidi and Robert Curtis, Pamela and Calvin Hull, Jennifer and Nate Rubendall, Jason Klemm, Vicki and Travis Tibbetts, Michelle Klemm, Merli and Jonathan Abbott; 42 grandchildren; 38 great-grandchildren; sister, Joann (Al Mulder) Meyer; brother, Pete and Jan Lanser; sister, Mary and Ken Wieringa; sister, Judy and Gord Brinks; brother-in-law, David Schripsema; sister-in-law, Beth Lanser; numerous nieces and nephews, former spouse, Millie Lanser, and extended family.

Visitation with the family is from 9:00 - 9:45 a.m. Saturday, August 8, 2026, at Christ Memorial Church, 595 Graafschap Rd. Holland, MI 49423.

Memorial services are the same day starting at 10:00 am also at Christ Memorial Church.
Live Stream Link: https://www.youtube.com/live/0Ll8g3I-bLA