Lora Steiner

Lora Annice Drewel Steiner, 105, former co-owner of the Vandalia Leader, died Oct. 8, 2026, at her home.

After the end of World War II, she married Weldon (Pete) Steiner, and the couple lived in Columbia so Pete could finish his college degree, which had been interrupted by the war. After Pete's graduation, they returned to Bland where both were employed by Tri-County Publications, a group of six weekly newspapers, owned by Norman Gallagher. Lora worked as a reporter for the Bland Courier.

In 1951, Lora and Pete purchased the Vandalia Leader and Laddonia Herald from Fred and Etta DeTienne. The newspaper was one of two weeklies being published in Vandalia at the time. Ten years later the Steiners purchased the Vandalia Press from Bill and Bernita Dodge.

Lora assisted Pete as First Lady of the Missouri Press Association when he was the organization's president in 1978. She also served as secretary of the Press Association in 1979. Following Pete's untimely death on Nov. 22, 1978, Lora continued as publisher of The Leader for 26 more years, assisted by two of her children, Bill and Mary.

Lora sold The Leader on Aug. 31, 2003, retiring at the age of 82.

She is survived by three children, Cindy, Mary and Bill; two grandsons and two great-grandsons; and many more family, friends and newspaper colleagues throughout Missouri.