Beloved mom, bubbe, grandbubbe, great-grandbubbe, aunt and friend, Leah Jane Stine passed away peacefully in her sleep on Nov. 19, 2016, at the age of 99 1/2 with loving family near. It was a gentle end to a long fruitful life filled with family, friends and service to others.
Leah was born April 23, 1917, to Morton Isidore Netzorg and Katherine Smit Netzorg in Naga, Camarines Sur, Philippines, where her parents were teachers. She lived in Manila until moving to the United States in her late teens and had many fond memories of swimming every morning in the beautiful bay in front of her house.
After moving to the States, she met Sol Stine and they married in June of 1939. After World War II, they eventually moved to St. Joseph, Missouri, where they established and ran General Compressed Steel. In the early 1960s they founded South Side Auto Parts, a mainstay in its neighborhood for many years. Both were active members of their community, raising children Alan, Marc, Linda and Vicki and becoming “The House” where many of their kids’ friends wanted to spend their time. To this day many remember Leah’s kindness and sense of humor and think of her as their second mom.
Leah had so many great qualities it’s impossible to list them all. She was intelligent and articulate, an interesting conversationalist and a great reader, in addition to helping run the family business. She was an active volunteer and participant in numerous local organizations and clubs, including Temple B’nai Sholem and their Sisterhood, Hadassah, B’nai Brith Women and the Open Door Food Kitchen where she coordinated her temple’s day into her 90s. She also found time to be active in her children’s scouting troops. Always first to give others a helping hand, or give good, practical advice, Leah was adored by nieces, nephews and grandchildren alike.
Our dear Leah was predeceased by her husband Sol, daughter Linda and son-in-law George, and brothers Jock and David. She is survived by children Alan (Carol), Marc (Nan), and Vicki (Arnie) Pollman; grandchildren Miryam, Andrew, Jonathan, Alex, Anna, Carla, Vaughn; and great-grandchildren Avi, Benji, Jonah, Gavriel, Delilah Rose, Sam, Zach, Aiden, Tyler, Jacob and Hayden.
In lieu of flowers, please make donations in Leah’s name to Temple B’nai Sholem at 615 S. 10th Street, St. Joseph, MO 64501 or Open Door Food Kitchen, 510 Edmond St., St. Joseph, MO 64501.
We take comfort in the thought that Leah is reunited with all the loved ones who went before her. She was deeply loved and she will be deeply missed.
A Farewell Service took place on Nov. 25 at Meierhoffer Funeral Home & Crematory in St. Joseph; burial followed at B’Nai Yaakov Cemetery.
An online guest book and obituary is available at www.meierhoffer.com.