Loretta Joyce (Leister) Basler

Loretta Joyce Leister Basler, 78, of Westminster, Maryland passed away on Thursday, April 12, 2018 at Carroll Hospital Center.

Born July 16, 1939, she was the daughter of the late Ira Levering Leister and Ethel Marie (Dell) Leister. She was the wife of Robert Davidson (Dave) Basler, Sr. for 56 years.

Loretta was a graduate of Westminster High School, Towson State Teachers College, and Western Maryland College.  She was a teacher who touched the lives of many children at Rodgers Forge Elementary, Hampstead Elementary, and Spring Garden Elementary until her retirement in 2003. She continued to touch the lives of children with her volunteer work as a leader of Carrollton 4-H Club. She loved to work with the 4-H'ers and they loved her too.  She was a life-long member of St. John (Lesiter’s) Lutheran Church in Westminster, where she served as a member of the church council, sang on the choir, Sunday School teacher, Vacation Bible School coordinator, and chair of the Evangelism committee.

Surviving in addition to her husband are her son and daughter in law, Robert D. Basler, Jr. and Carrianne Jean Maslako Basler of Waunakee, WI.; daughter and son in law, Beth Anne Basler Busch and Matthew Samuel Busch of Oswego, NY; grandchildren, Robert “David” Davidson Basler III, Grant Alexander Basler, Ayla Grace Busch, and Nolan Samuel Busch; sisters in law, Immogene Leister of Westminster, Doris Zepp and husband Milton of Westminster, Linda Holland and husband Kenneth of Pocomoke City, and Jane Lippy and husband Scott of Frederick; and many adoring nieces and nephews.

She was predeceased by siblings and spouses, Raymond and Mable Leister, Hazel and John Bixler, Marvin and Margaret Leister, and Kenneth Leister.

A funeral service to celebrate Loretta’s life will be held at 11:00 a.m. on Tuesday, April 17, 2018 at St. John (Leister’s) Lutheran Church, 827 Leister’s Church Rd., Westminster, MD with her pastor the Rev. Kristin Dubsky officiating.  Burial will follow in the St. John (Leister’s) Lutheran Cemetery.  The family will receive friends on Monday, April 16th from 2-4 and 6-8 p.m. at the church and on Tuesday, April 17th from 10 a.m. until the time of service at the church.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made in Loretta’s name to St. John (Leister’s) Lutheran Church at the above address.  Arrangements have been entrusted to the MYERS-DURBORAW FUNERAL HOME in Westminster.