Rita E. Legleiter

Rita Elizabeth Legleiter, 90, of St. Mary’s died Wednesday, October 1st, 2025, at Celebration Villa of Hearthstone in Topeka.

She was born on September 25, 1935, in Odin Kansas, the daughter of Joe and Agnes Wondra. She was a graduate of Odin Schools and worked at a bakery in Hoisington until she married Cletus M. Legleiter in November 1960. Together they lived in several places including Kansas City, Kansas., Springfield, Missouri, and Topeka, Kansas, before moving to St. Mary’s in 1969. She and her husband had seven children, and she poured her time and energy into supporting her family and their events/activities. She volunteered as a 4-H leader supporting youth with the local St. Mary's Jayhawker 4-H club. Rita gave her talent and time to Immaculate Conception Catholic Church activities with the Church Picnic, Rosary Hours, and on-going Garage Sale. Rita worked several part time jobs as a custodian with the St. Mary’s Bank, St. Mary’s public library, and Kaw Valley District Office for over 30 years. Her hobbies included being an avid supporter of the St. Mary's school's athletic teams, raising animals on the family farm, organic gardening and cooking, cheering on K-State teams, and supporting her children in their activities. Rita loved to learn and continued reading, attending extension workshops, and watching educational programs about gardening, health, and raising children. Her flower gardens were admired by many people in the community.

Survivors include her husband Cletus, and six surviving children. Sons include Steve of Topeka, Mike of Manhattan, Kenny of Columbia, MO, and Chris with wife Julie and their children Riley and Kinley. The two daughters are Diane Coffman of Baldwin City, and Cheryl and Ed West of Topeka with their children Kaitlin and husband Hunter, Brent, and Lauren. Additional survivors include a brother Jerry and a sister Jeanie.

Rita was preceded in death by her father Joe and mother Agnes; Sisters: Sister Edith, Cecelia, Mary Ann, Margaret, and Alice; Brothers: Robert, Al, Arthur, and Thomas. Rita was also preceded in death by infant daughter Mary Elizabeth.

There will be visitation and a rosary at Piper Funeral Home in St. Mary’s on Tuesday, October 7th at 9:00 a.m. followed by mass at 10:00 a.m. at the Immaculate Conception Catholic Church in St. Mary’s. This will be followed by burial at Mount Calvary Cemetery.

Memorial contributions in Rita's memory may be made to either Meals on Wheels St. Marys, the Immaculate Conception Food Pantry, or to the Helping Hands Humane Society and may be left in care of Piper Funeral Home, 714 Maple St., St. Marys, KS 66536.