Leotus Marie Seybold

On Saturday, Dec. 2, 2023, age 89, Leotus Marie Seybold went on to spend eternity with her Lord. Because of her faith in Jesus Christ and His Lordship over her life, she passed immediately to the throne room of God to hear Him say “Well done, good and faithful servant” (Matthew 25). Leotus was born in Westcliffe, Colo., on Feb. 17, 1934.  She was the second of two daughters of Joseph and Thelma Schulze. At 13 years old, her life was impacted dramatically when her mother was killed, tragically, in a collision of their car with a train in Canon City. A week or so prior, her mother had sat her down and explained that she needed to grow up because she would not always be there for her. This event, combined with her rich Lutheran heritage of Colorado homesteaders, caused Leotus to profess faith in Jesus Christ during her childhood confirmation classes. Despite constant battles with illness as a child, she yearned for the outdoors and helped her father with farming and caring for the animals. One day, while the local sawmill was delivering firewood to her home, she was outside in coveralls and noticed a handsome young man on the wagon. She ran inside so as not to be seen as a tomboy. He didn’t see her that way but instead commented, “I didn’t know the Schulze’s had a girl.” That man, Ray Seybold, later became her lifelong companion and the two were married on Sept. 11, 1953. Ray worked briefly for the railroad but then engaged in a long career with Frontier Airlines, while Leotus raised three children (two boys and one girl). Ray’s career had the family move from Kansas City, Mo., to Farmington, N.M., to Havre, Mont., to Gallop, N.M., to Cody, Wyo., and finally settle in Pueblo, Colo., where they have lived for the last 57 years. They made a shift from the corporate world to business owners in 1972 when the two started multiple businesses including a tire shop, rental car agency, travel service and auto sales. Leotus was very active in all of these but found her career running Scripture Supply Store from 1974 to 1994. She loved to read so the bookstore was the perfect business for her. She loved even more to give her life away in service to others. Many Puebloans grew to love and adore her Christ-like smile and selfless service when they visited the downtown store at Fifth and Grand. She not only served in the store but also as a lay leader at churches where she was a faithful member: Bethany Lutheran, First Baptist and Majestic Baptist. She also volunteered at Parkview Hospital for over 20 years. Two months ago, Ray and Leotus celebrated their 70th wedding anniversary. She is survived by her husband, Ray Seybold; sons, Ron (DeAnn) Seybold and Gordon (Gwen) Seybold; daughter, Thelma (Jim) Mueller; 11 grandchildren; 18 great-grandchildren; and sister, Ada Pendarvis. She was preceded in death by her mom and dad, Joseph and Thelma; and her great-grandson, Jace. A viewing will be held from 4 to 6 p.m. Friday, Dec. 8, 2023, in the Montgomery & Steward Chapel and her Celebration of Life will be held at 10 a.m. Saturday, Dec. 9, 2023, at Majestic Baptist Church, 494 E Hemlock Dr., Pueblo West. In lieu of flowers, please send your contributions in memory of Leotus Seybold to A Caring Pregnancy Center of Pueblo, 500 Colorado Ave., Pueblo, CO 81004 or acpcpueblo.org. Online condolences at www.MontgomerySteward.com