David Lee Anstaett, rural Lyndon, passed away Monday, February 24, 2025. He was 66. He was born May 28, 1958, in Topeka to Earl J. “E.J.” Anstaett and Delores M. “Dee” (Rosetta) Anstaett.
He graduated from Lyndon High School in 1976. In high school, David enjoyed basketball and was “King of Courts” his senior year, but baseball was his favorite sport. After playing American Legion baseball, he moved on to play slo-pitch softball for several years with his friends.
He attended Washburn University before beginning his work career. He worked during the construction of the Wolf Creek Nuclear Plant in Burlington in the late 1970s and early 1980s.
In 1987, he joined the custodial staff in the Lyndon Public School system, where he worked for the next 33 years. He retired in October 2020 and was presented with a plaque for outstanding and dedicated service at a school reception, with one colleague describing his work as a custodian as “meticulous.” David loved the students and teachers at the Lyndon schools and often interacted with them during the school day.
He was a loyal Kansas State Wildcats fan, occasionally joining his older brother in Manhattan for games.
David might have been best known in the Lyndon area for his fishing prowess. He often caught enough fish to share with coworkers, friends, his siblings and his nieces. Crappie fishing was his favorite, but he also fondly remembered trips to go river fishing for channel and flathead catfish with his Dad and maternal grandfather.
He enjoyed board games and became known in his immediate family as the “Scrabble Master.”
David loved the outdoors. He lived in the country just southeast of Lyndon and became an avid hunter of deer antler sheds, wild asparagus and morel mushrooms. He tried to be the first in the spring to discover asparagus sprouts in the right of way of country roads around Lyndon.
He adored his two nieces, their husbands and their seven children, and they loved him back.
David was preceded in death by his parents, E.J. in 1996 and Dee in 2021.
Survivors include a sister, Shirley Anstaett (Buddy Owens), Topeka; a brother, Doug (Lucinda) Anstaett, Topeka; two nieces, Beth (Russ) Iversen, and Ashley (Matt) All, Lawrence; and grandnieces Helena, Penelope, Silvia and Georgia All and Olivia Iversen and grandnephews Thomas All and Sebastian Iversen. He wanted to make special mention of two long-time friends, Mike Morgan and Dave Wiley.
A celebration of life will be scheduled in the near future.
Cremation has taken place. David requested that his ashes be spread at one of his favorite fishing spots.
Memorial contributions may be directed to the Lyndon High School Alumni Association and sent in care of Feltner Funeral Home, 818 Topeka Ave., Lyndon, KS 66451.
