Leora Esther Leonard was born September 19, 1932 in Clay Center, KS (to use her words, “in mama’s bedroom”) to Sophia “Sophie” Bletscher Elsasser and Herman Elsasser. She grew up on her parents 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. HA! Soon she was also assigned “plant watering duty” outside the bank where Trash to Treasure met. Seemed she couldn’t get enough time with her fellow volunteers! 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 (Leonard) Wade and husband, Caylan
Chad Leonard and wife, Allie
Charla (Leonard) Magruder and husband, Sultan
Great -grandchildren:
Colton Wade, Collins Wade, Layla Magruder, and Lillian Leonard
Step-grandsons:
Bobby Lindamood and wife, Tami
Billy Lindamood and wife, Kim
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:
Parents – Herman and Sophia (Bletscher) Elsasser
Brother and sister-in-law – Chris and LaUna Elsasser
Sister Myra, who passed in infancy
Brothers:
Harold Elsasser
Duane “Butch” and wife, Carole Elsasser
Sister and brother-in-law: Loretta and Lyle Hafner
Daughter-in-law: Debbie Leonard
Leora’s family and friends are serving as honorary pallbearers.
A celebration of Leora’s life will be 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. We feel there is no better way to honor her than by doing something for the Lord whom she loved so dearly!
