By Greg Chandler
Zeeland Record
Les Lanser, principal owner of Zeeland-based Christian radio stations WJQK-FM (Joy 99) and WPNW-AM (Joy Worship), died Thursday, July 30, at the age of 91.
Leslie John Lanser’s radio career spanned seven decades, starting in 1968 at the former WJBL-AM and FM (1260/94.5), where he began in sales and worked his way up to become station manager.
In 1982, Lanser purchased WJBL-AM from previous owner Peter VandenBosch and changed its call letters to WWJQ – or simply known to most listeners, WJQ.
Then a little more than four years later, Lanser and Holland businessman Jerry Horne purchased Zeeland-based country music station WZND-FM (99.3) from Charles Rich, according to a story that was published in the Zeeland Record on Dec. 24, 1986. Lanser changed the station’s call letters to WJQK and instituted a contemporary Christian music format, which has remained to this day.
“He was an early, early adopter of the contemporary Christian music format – almost too early for what (most) people were ready to listen to,” said Brad Lanser, Les’ son, fellow station owner and president of Lanser Broadcasting. “It was a struggle early on. My father was always … a fierce and relentless person, and that’s really what it took to carry us through those years.
“He had a huge passion for radio, (and he) loved his kids (and) grandkids. Those were the two big things for him,” Brad Lanser added.
Lanser’s stations have undergone several format changes over the years. In 2003, the AM station’s call letters were changed to WPNW, with the letters standing for “praise and worship.” Two years later, the station flipped its format to news/talk and dubbed itself “1260 The Pledge – One Station Under God.”
Then in August 2020, WPNW changed formats and became known as “Joy Worship.” It also added two FM translator signals (96.5 and 98.9) to better serve West Michigan.
Lanser’s life verses, according to his obituary, were Romans 8:38-39: “For I am convinced that neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons, neither the present nor the future, nor any powers, neither height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus our Lord.”
He was preceded in death by his granddaughter, Kerri Kowalczyk; sister, Betty Jean Schripsema; brother, Lugene Lanser; and brother, Warren Lanser.
Les Lanser is survived by his wife, Ramona; 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, and 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.
Memorial services will be held Saturday, Aug. 8 at 10 a.m. at Christ Memorial Church, 595 Graafschap Rd., Holland. Visitation with the family will be prior to the service, from 9 to 9:45 a.m. at Christ Memorial. Burial will be in Restlawn Memorial Gardens.
Memorial contributions in Les' honor may be given to Mission Partners India (Lynn Gann) at missionpartnersindia.com or by mail to P.O. Box 168, Zeeland, MI 49464; Encompass Kids at encompasskids.org/about or by mail 430 E. 8th St. #257, Holland, MI 49423; or Christ Memorial Church at christmemorial.org or by mail to 595 Graafschap Rd., Holland, MI 49423.
Zeeland Record
Les Lanser, principal owner of Zeeland-based Christian radio stations WJQK-FM (Joy 99) and WPNW-AM (Joy Worship), died Thursday, July 30, at the age of 91.
Leslie John Lanser’s radio career spanned seven decades, starting in 1968 at the former WJBL-AM and FM (1260/94.5), where he began in sales and worked his way up to become station manager.
In 1982, Lanser purchased WJBL-AM from previous owner Peter VandenBosch and changed its call letters to WWJQ – or simply known to most listeners, WJQ.
Then a little more than four years later, Lanser and Holland businessman Jerry Horne purchased Zeeland-based country music station WZND-FM (99.3) from Charles Rich, according to a story that was published in the Zeeland Record on Dec. 24, 1986. Lanser changed the station’s call letters to WJQK and instituted a contemporary Christian music format, which has remained to this day.
“He was an early, early adopter of the contemporary Christian music format – almost too early for what (most) people were ready to listen to,” said Brad Lanser, Les’ son, fellow station owner and president of Lanser Broadcasting. “It was a struggle early on. My father was always … a fierce and relentless person, and that’s really what it took to carry us through those years.
“He had a huge passion for radio, (and he) loved his kids (and) grandkids. Those were the two big things for him,” Brad Lanser added.
Lanser’s stations have undergone several format changes over the years. In 2003, the AM station’s call letters were changed to WPNW, with the letters standing for “praise and worship.” Two years later, the station flipped its format to news/talk and dubbed itself “1260 The Pledge – One Station Under God.”
Then in August 2020, WPNW changed formats and became known as “Joy Worship.” It also added two FM translator signals (96.5 and 98.9) to better serve West Michigan.
Lanser’s life verses, according to his obituary, were Romans 8:38-39: “For I am convinced that neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons, neither the present nor the future, nor any powers, neither height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus our Lord.”
He was preceded in death by his granddaughter, Kerri Kowalczyk; sister, Betty Jean Schripsema; brother, Lugene Lanser; and brother, Warren Lanser.
Les Lanser is survived by his wife, Ramona; 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, and 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.
Memorial services will be held Saturday, Aug. 8 at 10 a.m. at Christ Memorial Church, 595 Graafschap Rd., Holland. Visitation with the family will be prior to the service, from 9 to 9:45 a.m. at Christ Memorial. Burial will be in Restlawn Memorial Gardens.
Memorial contributions in Les' honor may be given to Mission Partners India (Lynn Gann) at missionpartnersindia.com or by mail to P.O. Box 168, Zeeland, MI 49464; Encompass Kids at encompasskids.org/about or by mail 430 E. 8th St. #257, Holland, MI 49423; or Christ Memorial Church at christmemorial.org or by mail to 595 Graafschap Rd., Holland, MI 49423.
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