Wanda Mae Springwater

Wanda Mae (Kepler) Springwater passed away on August 7, 2024 in Shawnee, Oklahoma. She was born in the Rocky Hills of Galena, Missouri in Stone County, in the vicinity of Silver Dollar City. She was proud that her mom’s dad, James Liles was a circuit rider Baptist preacher and the little log cabin church was moved into Silver Dollar City as a memorial to the past. Wanda was born February 22, 1934 and was one of twelve children born to Hugh William Kepler and Loccie Leona Liles. The family migrated from Missouri to Oklahoma. She was a 1952 graduate of Pleasant Grove High School, west of Seminole, Oklahoma. All through school she was on the Honor Society and as a senior she was awarded the American Legion Award by post #204.

Wanda worked at several places in Seminole, Wackers Five & Dime, the Sylvania Plant and Pat’s Café. It was at the café where she met Conard Springwater. He told his brother and all his friends she was the one he was going to marry. They dated and married July 10,1954. They had one daughter, Connie Lynn Springwater, who was born in Seminole on December 18, 1955.

When the oil boom died, they went to California where Conard had aunts and uncles. He found a job at Edison Power Company and climbed the ladder to become a power systems broker with the U.S. Department of Energy before retiring. God led them as a family near Los Angeles where they worked together in a small church. They also helped send missionaries to Vietnam during the war in the 60’s. They had a heart for the Salvation Army and donated to the soup kitchens where Conard volunteered. Conard had a lot of transfers to different states throughout the years because of his job. They were in California, Oregon, South Dakota, Oklahoma and finally, Loveland, Colorado. Their daughter, Connie, met and married Mark Ludwig of Colorado and they had two children; Linda Marchelle and Lawrence Henry Ludwig.

Wanda loved her grandchildren. Their daughter Connie gained her wings in Heaven in 1995. In 1999 Wanda and Conard returned to Oklahoma to retire. She loved when the grandkids would come to visit in the summer. Hayes, Kansas was the halfway point, so their son-in-law Mark would meet them halfway and exchange the kids.

Wanda’s husband, Conard, passed away in February 2007. She eventually had to put her huge house on the market and moved to Primrose Retirement Center in Shawnee in 2013. She finally got acquainted and had lots of sweet lady friends there. She always had someone to walk the halls with for her exercise. She also loved her weekly bible studies and always asked questions and always wanted answers.

Wanda and Conard loved their years together in the Northridge neighborhood in Shawnee. They had wonderful neighbors, Barbara Casey and the Jacksons, who were so faithful to watch after her after Conard passed.

Wanda is survived by her one grandson, Lawrence (Larry) Henry Ludwig and one granddaughter, Linda Marchelle Ludwig Cota. Linda married Nicholas Cota and they have a son, Izaac William Cota who is now 5 years old and ready for kindergarten. She is so proud of her granddaughter, Linda, who is a graphic designer and works for a corporation owned by J.P. Morgan and Co. She always looks forward to their visits when they come to Oklahoma. Izaac is her pride and joy. She is also survived by her two sisters; Naomi House and Linda Davis, both of Shawnee, Oklahoma and many nieces and nephews.

The family appreciates the Shawnee Care Center nurses for their care, with a special thank you to Khayla Terry for always being there and to Valir Hospice nurses Gabby and Heather.

Viewing for Wanda will be from 1:00 to 5:00 p.m., Sunday, August 11, 2024 at Swearingen Funeral Home in Seminole, Oklahoma

The funeral service for Wanda will be held at 1:00 p.m., Monday, August 12, 2024 at the Swearingen Funeral Home Chapel in Seminole with Clint Dawkins officiating. Burial will follow at Maple Grove Cemetery in Seminole. Casket bearers will be Jeff Auchey, Alex Cain, Tristan Cain and Nick Cota.

Arrangements are under the direction of Swearingen Funeral Home in Seminole, Oklahoma.