Carolyn Ann Leitz, 86, of Republic, Missouri, passed away unexpectedly at her home on September 11, 2025.

Carolyn was born on August 21, 1939, in Montgomery City, Missouri, to Edmond and Vera Lauer. The eldest of seven children, she graduated from Montgomery County R2 High School in 1957, where she played basketball and shared a newspaper delivery route with her brother Bob.

After high school, Carolyn moved to Kansas City, Missouri where she lived with her sister, Judy and worked at Clines Clothing Store. It was there that she met her husband, Bill Leitz.  They were married in 1965 and shared 43 years together until his passing. The couple raised four children and eventually settled in Republic, Missouri.

Carolyn worked as a nurse at St John’s Hospital in Springfield, Missouri for many years until she retired. While there, she made many friends and enjoyed helping her patients. Her hobbies included crocheting, cooking, gardening, raising chickens, doing word search puzzles, watching Jeopardy, and reading western romance novels.

She was preceded in death by her husband, Bill; son, Billy; parents, Edmond and Vera; siblings, Bob, Richard, Henry, John and Judy.

Carolyn is survived by her children, Michele Breece (Andy), Debra Leitz (Buck), both of Springfield, Missouri and Andy Leitz (Kathy) of Republic, Missouri; brother, Jim; four grandchildren, two great grandchildren, as well as three nieces and one nephew.

In accordance with Carolyn’s wishes, her body will be cremated, and a memorial service held at a later date.

Memorial donations in Carolyn’s honor may be made to the Humane Society of Southwest Missouri, reflecting her love for animals: https://www.swh.org/donate.html

Mrs. Carolyn Leitz’s care has been entrusted with Greenlawn Funeral Home North