Marco Toro-Valverde, 74, of Lansing, Kan., passed away, Nov. 25, 2021, surrounded by his family. Marco was born May 20, 1947, in Latacunga, Ecuador.

He immigrated to America from Ecuador at age 18 and joined the U.S. Army. Marco served from 1968 to 1970, during the Vietnam War. In 1970, Marco married his sweetheart, Linda, and they raised their family in the Lansing/Leavenworth area. He owned and operated Marco Motors in Lansing, Kan., for over 30 years. Marco pioneered local soccer leagues and coached soccer for his kids and grandkids. He was active in the Lansing community and participated in many church activities. He loved fishing, watching his grandkids play sports, collecting treasures and reading about history. Most importantly, Marco loved God and loved sharing the gospel with others.

Marco is preceded in death by his parents, Vicente Toro and Victoriana Valverde; and two of his sons, Tony and Keith Valverde.

He is survived by his wife, Linda Smart Valverde of Lansing, Kan.; three sons, Marco (Gwyn) Valverde, Scot (Candace) Valverde and David (Casey) Valverde; 14 grandchildren; one great grandson; his brother, Vincent (Anna) Toro, of Leavenworth, Kan.; and his sister, Blanca Toro of Latacunga, Ecuador.

A funeral service will begin at 6 p.m. Thursday, Dec. 2, 2021, at the R. L. Leintz Funeral Home. Burial with military honors will be at 10 a.m. Friday, Dec. 3, 2021, at Leavenworth National Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, please consider donations to the family for funeral expenses.