LEORA LEONARD Obituary

LEORA LEONARD 09/19/1932 - 06/26/2025 Leora Esther Leonard was born September 19, 1932, in Clay Center, KS to Sophia "Sophie" (Bletscher) Elsasser and Herman Elsasser. She grew up on her parent's farm outside of Clay Center, where she attended and graduated high school. Leora married and went on to have two boys. While her sons were still young, she and their dad divorced. She and the boys then moved to McPherson, KS. Leora worked at the Cedars before being hired as one of the first employees at Sterling Drug (now Pfizer). She dedicated many years there before retiring and beginning her next adventures! She went to Germany with her "Sunflower Sisters" and did a lot of volunteering with various organizations. Leora volunteered thousands of hours at McPherson hospital for the Hospital Auxiliary. She also volunteered thousands of hours at Trash to Treasure, sewing clothing and stuffed toys/animals for children in developing countries around the world. Volunteering at Trash to Treasure with her wonderful girlfriends there was truly pure joy for Leora! Being the first to arrive each day, she was assigned coffee duty. Soon she was also assigned "plant watering duty" outside the bank where Trash to Treasure met. Leora was included in the February 2002 Family Circle magazine about Trash to Treasure. Leora also volunteered thousands of hours at The Down Under Room where she sewed quilts for nursing home residents. She loved her work there and was always eager to show her latest projects to her kids and grandkids whenever they visited. You could easily say, Leora's hobbies included volunteering, volunteering, and more volunteering! Leora was a strong, Christian woman. She loved the Lord and was redeemed by His grace. Leora attended 1st Presbyterian Church in McPherson until she moved to OK to be closer to her children. Leora went to be with the Lord on June 26, 2025, at the age of 92. She is survived by: Sister-in-law, Nola Elsasser. Sons: Steve Leonard, Greg Leonard and wife, Susie. Grandchildren: Jessica and husband, Caylan Wade, Chad and wife, Allie Leonard, Charla and husband, Sultan Magruder. Great-grandchildren: Colton Wade, Collins Wade, Layla Magruder, and Lillian Leonard. Step-grandsons: Bobby and wife, Tami Lindamood, Billy and wife, Kim Lindamood. Step great-grandchildren: Harper Lindamood, Reagan Lindamood, and Braden Lindamood. Very special, dear friends: Charlene Rudman, Jeanne Swick, and Patsy Magelssen. Many, many nieces and nephews and great-nieces and nephews. She was preceded in death by: her parents, brother and sister-in-law: Chris and LaUna Elsasser, sister: Myra, brothers: Harold Elsasser, Duane "Butch" and wife, Carole Elsasser, sister and brother-in-law: Loretta and Lyle Hafner, Daughter-in-law: Debbie Leonard. A celebration of Leora's life was held at the 1st Presbyterian Church, 602 Clarke St, Clay Center, KS, Tuesday, July 1 at 10:30a.m. As we celebrate her sweet life, in lieu of flowers, the family invites you to donate to the 1st Presbyterian Church, 1400 Main St, McPherson, KS 67460-1902.