Leora Spitler

The funeral service for Leora will be lived streamed on the Courtland United Methodist Church Facebook page.

Stasha Leora Loring Spitler was born October 15, 1919, the only child of Ed and Daisy Ann (Fuller) Loring on a farm south of Scandia, Kansas. On January 30, 2021, she went peacefully into the arms of her Heavenly Father at the age of 101. She attended Dist. 88 grade school and graduated from Scandia High school with the Class of 1937. While growing up, she enjoyed life on the farm and spending much time with many cousins, grandparents, and aunts and uncles. Leora’s faith was very important to her and that beacon of God’s love was evident to everyone she encountered. She enjoyed attending the Scandia Methodist Church while growing up and teaching Sunday school classes.

She married Eugene H. Spitler on January 18, 1939 at the Methodist Parsonage in Courtland, Kansas. They made their home on the Spitler farm north and west of Courtland until 1958 when they moved into town, at which time Gene became employed with the Kansas Bostwick Irrigation District. To this union, one daughter was born, Anita.

Leora worked for a short time at Blackburn’s Produce and then in 1960, she became employed with the Courtland Public schools as the school secretary. She worked there until her retirement in 1985. Working for the school district was one of Leora’s greatest pleasures in life as she loved interacting with the students and staff. She was known to “spoil” the teaching staff by going over and beyond helping them with their paperwork. And the students could always find a jar of candy on the countertop in the office at Christmas time, just for their enjoyment.

Not one to be idle very long, Leora soon found part time work after her retirement, working for Hurtig’s Veterinary Clinic and Tebow Plumbing and volunteering at the library. Once again, she found much joy in working with the public.

Her part time employers were very good about allowing her some flexibility to do some traveling, so she and Gene were fortunate to be able to go on some really nice trips. They enjoyed many day trips and mystery trips and several extended trips which were taken with some local friends. For their 40th wedding anniversary, they and four other couples went to Hawaii. Another trip that was a huge delight was a trip through the southwestern states, culminating in Los Angeles for the Rose parade. For their 60th anniversary, they were treated to a trip to Virginia by their daughter and son-in-law. Gene had a great time introducing Bill to his Virginia relatives and sharing stories about the area that was his heritage.

Throughout her lifetime, Leora was very active in her community. She could always be counted upon to help in any capacity where needed. She was baptized in the Courtland Methodist Church and became very active and involved in church activities. She was also a member of the Eastern Star, Homemakers Club, and the Courtland Crusaders.

Several of Leora’s cousins lived into their 90s and so for nearly 20 years, there was a cousin coffee held monthly in Scandia for all those that could attend. She and Gene loved seeing all the cousins regularly and being able to reminisce and stay connected.

In 2008, Leora and Gene decided to move to Beloit to be near their daughter and son-in-law. They moved to Hilltop Assisted Living and began to enjoy a new chapter in their life. While there, they were fortunate to be able to celebrate 74 years together. Leora quickly became a “favorite” of the staff there and she thoroughly enjoyed meeting and getting acquainted with many new people while she was there. She made many new friends in the Beloit area.

She is survived by her daughter, Anita Walsh and husband Bill of Beloit; step grandchildren, Mary Landen, Denver, CO, Kathy Walsh, Phoenix, AZ and Michael Walsh, Wichita, KS; five step-great grandchildren; nephews, Howard Spitler, Kannapolis, KS and Ron Spitler, Scottsdale, AZ; other relatives and friends.

In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by her husband, Gene in 2013 and a brother-in-law Ray Spitler in 1987.

Funeral services were held Wednesday, February 3, 2021 at the United Methodist Church, Courtland, Kansas with The Reverend Sandra Jellison-Knock officiating. Burial was in the Courtland Cemetery. Memorials may be made to the Pike Valley Foundation or the Methodist Church. Tibbetts-Fischer Funeral Home assisted the Spitler family with these arrangements.