Anna Laura Sporer

Anna Laura Sporer

May 15, 1935 — Aug 31, 2026

Anna Laura Sporer, 91, of Oakley, Kansas, passed away in Hays, Kansas, on August 31, 2026.

Laura was born May 15, 1935, in Russell Springs, Kansas, to Thomas Jay and Mary Margarette (Majors) Hillery. She was raised with her siblings in a two-bedroom farmhouse south of Russell Springs.

Laura graduated as Valedictorian from Russell Springs High School in May 1953. On June 14, 1953, she married Arlo Richard Sporer of Seneca, South Dakota. They made their first home in Russell Springs before moving to Oakley in 1959. They happily shared 59 years of marriage.

For several years, Laura worked at the A.S.C.S. office. In 1961, Laura and Arlo founded Sporer Land Development, which is now celebrating 65 successful years in the heavy highway construction industry.

Laura and Arlo raised four children: Brenda, Tracee, Jay, and Troy. She treasured attending her children’s, grandchildren’s, and great-grandchildren’s sporting events, programs, and activities. Laura was deeply involved in her community, serving on the Oakley Library Board, Oakley Recreation Board, and the Oakley Country Club Board. She was also a longtime member of the Oakley United Methodist Church.

Laura and Arlo were active members of the Saturday Night Oakley Country Club Dance Club for many years. Laura was an avid golfer and served as the first chair of the annual “Drive for Health” Logan County Healthcare Foundation golf tournament, a role she held for many years.

Laura and Arlo looked forward to their winters as “Snow Birds,” traveling south in their R.V. After Arlo passed away in 2012, Laura continued to enjoy the winter months in Arizona. She was always thrilled when family and friends came to visit and was the ultimate host in her Mesa home.

Laura never missed an opportunity to have fun. She loved getting dressed up, going out to dinner, planning family vacations, and hosting family and friends. Her hobbies included reading, socializing, gambling, shopping, and celebrating. Laura lived life to the fullest and had a remarkable ability to make every gathering more classy and fun!

Laura was preceded in death by her parents; her husband, Arlo; five brothers; and her son-in-law, Jim Davidson.

She is survived by her two daughters, Brenda and husband Greg Hubert and Tracee Sporer; and two sons, Jay and wife Melanie Sporer and Troy and wife Lori Sporer.

She is also survived by eight grandchildren: Mark and wife Andrea Hubert, Loralea and husband Jeremy Newman, Savanah and husband Brian Alpert, Abbey and husband Derek Elliott, Jaymi and husband Aaron Thieman, Jantzen Sporer and husband Alec Onstad, Jackie and husband Macen Shull, and Jarrett Sporer.

Her 13 great-grandchildren include Jovea Wood, Maddox Hubert, Cooper Wood, Mackenzie Hubert, Charlie Shull, Ellie Elliott, Cannon Shull, Grady Newman, Harlow Thieman, Annie Elliott, Ledger Shull, Arlo Alpert, and Lennon Thieman.

She is also survived by three sisters, Mary Wright, Helen Lunsford, and Bernice Mahoney, as well as many nieces and nephews.

Laura’s amazing life will be celebrated at 10:30 a.m. Friday, September 4, 2026, at the Oakley United Methodist Church, with graveside services following at the Oakley City Cemetery. Memorial contributions may be made to the Oakley Tri-County Amusement Association or the Oakley Junior Golf Club, mailed in care of Baalmann Mortuary, P.O. Box 391, Colby, KS 67701. Online condolences may be left at www.baalmannmortuary.com