Dorothy McDermeit, 93, Salina, Kansas, formerly of La Crosse, Kansas passed away on August 7th, 2025 at the Salina Regional Hospital, Salina Kansas. She was born March 8, 1932 in La Crosse Kansas, the daughter of Leonard and Matilda Schmidt. She was a resident of Salina, Kansas for over 20 years, moving from La Crosse.
On November 5, 1952 she married Jerome Legleiter. Together they had seven children. They were business owners beginning with the purchase of the La Crosse Nursing Home. Later, they built and owned the J&D (Jerome and Dorothy) Tastee Freeze in La Crosse. After that they acquired the Starlight Club and Lounge, along with the Bowling Alley in La Crosse, KS. He proceeded her in death on November 5, 1977.
On August 3, 1979 she married Clyde McDermeit, whom she met at a Bowling Tournament. He brought three more children into the family. Together they continued to run the business until selling it to open a smaller mom and pop restaurant at the Mini Mall. After 10 years, the Starlight Club was returned to them, and with a remodel, it became the Frontier Lounge. They then ran it until selling it and retiring. In retirement they enjoyed traveling the Country and being snowbirds. During this time, she would learn new talents becoming an artist in beautiful oil paintings, foil art pictures, and jewelry making. He proceeded her in death on June 1, 2015.
She was a lifetime member of the VFW Women’s Auxiliary, St. Michaels Catholic Church, St. Mary’s Catholic Church, The First Ladies Club of Salina, and The Red Hat Club.
Survivors include, Daughters Kathy Whitis (Doug) Salina, KS, Sheryl Resley, Wichita, KS, Lisa Leikam (Allan) Manhattan, KS, and sons Gary Legleiter, Salina, KS, and Eric Legleiter, Salina, KS. Three stepchildren: Nancy (Mike) Devine, Millersville, Maryland, Scott (Opal) McDermeit, Goddard, KS, and Cheryl Henderson, Boerne, TX. Grandchildren are Chris Leikam (Ali), Wamego, Colton Leikam (Darissa) Junction City, KS, Genna Resley (Colby), Wichita, KS, Briana Resley (Colby) Wichita, Ks, Whitney Legleiter, Wichita, Blake Legleiter, Wichita, Andrew Legleiter, Montana. Step-grandchildren are Katie Devine (Jared), Washington DC, Brian Devine, Virginia, Jennifer Slaughter (Aaron) Mulvane, KS, Justin Henderson, (Brittany) MO, Courtney Church (Scott), Borne TX. She has 13 great grandchildren. One brother, John Schmidt, Colorado.
She was preceded in death by both husbands, her parents, two sons, Ron Legleiter and Len Legleiter, two grandsons, Brady Whitis and Jamie Whitis, a great grandson, a sister, Betty Schmidt, and a son-in-law Brian Resley.
A Mass of the Christian Burial will be held 1:00 p.m. Wednesday, August 13, 2025 at St. Michael’s Catholic Church, 918 Lincoln St., La Crosse, KS 67548, with Fr. Stephen Dabanka officiating. Burial will follow at La Crosse Cemetery.
Memorial contributions may be made to the Ft. Hays VFW Auxiliary Post 9076.
For more information or to leave condolences online please visit www.crick-christiansfuneralhome.com