Elsa Klara (Bruckner) Lepard 1928-2012

Elsa Klara Lepard (nee Bruckner) died on 2-18-2012 in her sleep. She was born in Bremen, Germany on 10-21-1928. She is preceded in death by her husband, Rallen L. (Bob) Lepard, by her parents and her only sister, Edith Kessel. She is survived by her son, Rick Lepard of Devil’s Elbow and her grandson, Chase (Jessica), great-grandson Elliot of Crocker, MO, granddaughter, Audrey of Waynesville, her daughter, Renee Rubio (George) of Tucson, AZ and her grandsons, Brandon Kelley of Tucson, AZ and Brian Kelley (Genevieve) her great grandchildren, Taylor, Gavin & Emma Kelley, Brandon Fox and Rachael Vaccaro of St. Augustine, FL. Elsa married Bob in 1948 and moved with him throughout his career in the U.S. Army from Colorado Springs, Decatur, Waynesville, Germany and back to Waynesville where they bought a home in 1967 upon Bob's retirement from the Army. Elsa worked for many years at Ft. Leonard Wood Central Accounting Office, then bought the H & R Block office in downtown Waynesville which she owned and operated for many years where she also kept books for a number of small businesses in the area. She later owned Lepard Shoe that was located on the Ft. Wood Spur in St. Robert, MO and kept its books while her son Rick ran the operation. Elsa lost her husband Bob in 1992 and traveled often to visit her family in Tucson, Hawaii, Rhode Island, Mississippi and South Carolina. Elsa had been dealing with dementia as of recent years and had been unable to travel. She was a long time member of Faith Lutheran Church. Elsa had been an active member of the Shrine Wive's Club. Her contribution as a member of this community was well known.

Funeral services were held at 1:00 p.m. Friday, February 24, 2012 in the Faith Evangelical Lutheran Church of St. Robert, Missouri with Pastor Richard Anderegg officiating. The baptism of Emma Grace Kelley, Elsa’s great granddaughter, was also part of the service. Bobby Lepard, Elsa’s brother-in-law, sang “The King Is Coming” and “Peace in the Valley”. “Amazing Grace” and “Twenty-Third Psalm” was sung by the congregation. Serving as escorts were Bobby Lepard, Terrill Lepard, George Rubio, Brian Kelley, Brandon Kelley and Chase Lepard.

Burial followed in the Waynesville Memorial Park Cemetery. Services were under the direction of Memorial Chapels and Crematory of Waynesville / St. Robert.