Lela Sass Fleenor, 100, was born Sept. 12, 1913, in Willow Springs, Mo., and passed away Friday, July 18, 2014, in Springfield, Mo. She was the youngest of the Christian Sass family, consisting of one boy and six girls. Different from most families in Willow Springs, Lela’s parents immigrated from Europe –– her father, Christian, from Germany and her mother, Rosa, from Switzerland. Lela took a great deal of pride in being a first generation American. In 1992, her parents’ names were inscribed on the Wall of Immigrants at Ellis Island.
Lela loved school and was an excellent student. This love for education later developed into her becoming a very dedicated, creative and innovative elementary and junior high school teacher. She received a BS in Education from MSU in Springfield, Mo., an MA in Education and a Specialist Degree in Reading from the University of Arkansas. Lela taught school for 25 years in Willow Springs, Houston, West Plains and Salem.
Everything to do with the out-of-doors was Lela’s passion from her beloved flower gardens to swimming, badminton, croquet and especially swimming. While in high school she excelled in tennis and basketball.
Everyone in Lela’s family was musical and perhaps that intrinsic love of music was the attraction to her late husband, Lowell Fleenor. They were married on July 14, 1945, and enjoyed a wonderful 62 years of marriage. They loved to dance and shared a lifelong love of music. They had so many things in common –– a love of theater, playing bridge and playing music together with Lowell on the piano and Lela on the keyboard. They were longtime members of the United Methodist Church in West Plains and Houston, Mo.
When Lela was 100 years old last September, she spoke of her life saying, “I have a wonderful life, and a husband who was kind and gentle. We loved each other’s company and had such good times together. I hold the beautiful memories of our 62 years together most dear. Oh, how I would love to live them over again! Lowell and I were blessed with a loving, caring and intelligent family who have brought joy and love to our lives. Living the past several years at the Gardens is special to me. I have made many friends, along with the staff, who are so good to me. I am so very blessed to have seven angels: Angela, Bernice, Jassamyn, Kathy, Lois, Sue, and Tahrena that make every day of my life so pleasant. So, how did I live to be 100 years young: Exercise, drinking lots of water, washing my hands a lot, eating tuna fish, and most importantly, eating lots of chocolate!”
The family also wishes to thank Lela’s care-giving angels and Nurse Karolyn Farley, Chaplain Patrick Boyle, Aide Carolyn (Cricket) Dennis with Hospice Compassus.
Lela is survived by two daughters and their husbands, Lesley and Dave Trottier, Springfield; Linda and John Harlin of Gainesville; two granddaughters, Nicole (Stacy) and Summer (Brittany) of Springfield; two grandsons, Brent (Holly), Springfield and Chris (Missy), Gainesville; five great-granddaughters, Brooke, Richmond of Virginia, Abbi of Fayetteville, Ark., Faith of Gainesville and Raegan and Reese of Springfield; and one great-grandson, Riley of Springfield.
A “Celebration of Lela’s Life” will be held 7 p.m. Friday, Aug. 1, at Highland Springs Country Club in Springfield.
In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to: MSU Foundation, MSU-West Plains, 128 Garfield Ave., West Plains, MO 65775. Place “The Lela and Lowell Restricted Current Scholarship Fund” on the memo line.
PAID
