Lela Joy Eller, 88, Hays, died Friday, October 2, 2026 at Via Christi Village.
She was born on September 10, 1938, five minutes before her twin brother Leland Roy, to Harold and Lena Stutheit on their farm north of Kensington, Kansas. Lela married Meldean Moore on July 5, 1959, and later in life she married Gary L. Eller on December 21, 1980. She was a member of First United Methodist Church.
She enjoyed cooking and baking, racing go karts with Meldean, bowling, and softball. She was an avid Kansas City Royals, Kansas City Chiefs, and K-State football fan and also enjoyed circle a word books and playing cards with family and friends. More than anything, she beautifully focused her attention to the care and concerns of others, and this was her greatest gift.
Survivors include her son Mike Moore and wife Pam of Springtown, Texas, two daughters Micki Moore of Smith Center and Marla Copper and husband Jeff of Hays, her stepdaughter Lori Bieker and husband Bob of Hays, one sister Helen DaVatz of Olathe, her sister-in-law Sandra Stutheit of Waverly, Nebraska, 15 “favorite” grandchildren, 23 great grandchildren, one great-great grandchild, and numerous nieces and nephews.
She was preceded in death by her parents, her two husbands, her three brothers Marvin, Melvin, and Leland Stutheit, two sisters-in-law Joan Stutheit and Pheobie Stutheit, and her stepson Jeff Eller.
Funeral services will be at 10:30 am on Wednesday, October 7, 2026 at First United Methodist Church. Burial will follow in Mt. Allen Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, memorials are suggested to St. John’s Chapel at Via Christi Village. Funeral services are in the care of Hays Memorial Chapel Funeral Home and condolences and memories of Lela may be shared with her family at www.haysmemorial.com