Twila Fern Hartz

Twila was born on February 2, 1944 in Scott City, Kansas to Verla Jay and Gladys Violet Bishop. She grew up in Leoti, KS with her five siblings and graduated from Wichita County High School in 1962. She graduated from Knapp College of Nursing in 1967 and received her BSN from California State University-Los Angeles in 1969.

Twila met Barry Hartz while attending Cal State LA and they were married December 21, 1968. They served on Campus Crusade for Christ for the first seven years of their marriage. As a couple, they would go on to start or serve with many other ministries, sharing the Gospel of Jesus Christ with everyone they met. Together they built a life focused on family, friendship, and service to others.

Twila was a devoted Christian who faithfully followed the Lord’s leading and lived with a heart full of passion to share Christ. She delighted in leading women’s Bible studies, guiding prayer groups, and hosting gatherings of all sizes. Twila was known for her generosity and sincerity, always eager to connect with others and make them feel valued. In her quiet moments, she enjoyed reading, playing the piano, and working on intricate jigsaw puzzles. She also took great joy in sharing special moments with her grandchildren, such as elegant tea parties at her home.

Twila is survived by her loving children, daughter Kristin and Kurt McCullum (Leoti, KS); son Nathan and Susanna Hartz (Castle Pines, CO); her grandchildren Allison and Noah Repko (Royse City, TX); Kira, Kinley and Logan Hartz (Castle Pines, CO); and brother Carl Bishop (Palm Desert, CA). She was preceded in death by her beloved husband, Barry Hartz who passed away June 22, 2025, and by her late four siblings: Mary Cantrell, James Bishop, Leona Maxine DeLissa, and Max Bishop.

A Celebration of Life will be held on June 13, 2026 at First Baptist Church Leoti Kansas at 1:00 pm, with a reception at the church to follow after the service. The address is 101 Carter Avenue, Leoti, KS 67861. In lieu of flowers, the family asks for donations in loving memory of Twila to First Baptist Church in Leoti, Kansas, where Twila received her spiritual foundation.

Twila will be remembered for her kindness, quiet strength, and her remarkable ability to make people feel seen and loved. Her faith, her love of family, and her heart to serve other will continue to inspire all who knew her.