Keith Allen Springer

Keith Allen Springer was born in a farm house south of Waterville, Kansas, January 28, 1932, to Gerald M. and Ruth M. Anderson Springer. Keith was three months old when his parents moved to a farm on Walnut Creek north of town. Keith completed country school Star School District #86 and graduated from Waterville high school in 1950. He became a member of St. Mark's Lutheran Church after accepting Christ and baptism in 1950, Waterville.

Keith began employment at the Blue Rapids Gypsum Plant until he was drafted into the Army, November 20, 1952, served in Korea, and returned home November 4, 1954. Keith's five brothers Gail, Neil, Max, Lee and Larry also served in the Army, oldest brother, Gail, in the Battle of the Bulge, WWII.

He began employment as a mechanic at Walt Steenson's Garage and later at Barleen's Chevrolet, Waterville, until September, 1956. He enrolled in Kansas State College (later KSU) and graduated June 3, 1962, with a degree in Landscape Architecture. He listened to K-State football on radio or watched games on t.v.

He began employment with the Kansas Highway Commission and designed road side parks throughout Kansas. He transferred to Kansas Park Authorities, April, 1965, and drew site plans for roads, buildings, water/sewer at the last seven new Kansas parks. When Keith, his sister, Marianne and a friend were leaving Perry State Park after a July 4 fireworks display, when asked what road to take to leave, Keith directed us to the correct road. When asked how he knew, he responded, "I drew the plans for the roads in this park!"

Keith retired from newly named Wildlife and Parks in February, 1995.

Keith became a member of Trinity Lutheran Church, September, 1962. He was active in various committees, in particular, the building committee. He loved his church.

Keith did not marry nor have children. He was preceded in death by his parents, and siblings, Gail (Norma), Elaine (Grady), Neil (Marge), Max, Larry and Lola (Ray). He is survived by younger brother, Lee and his wife, Barbara, Wilmington, IL and sisters-in-law Norma Springer and Marge Springer and youngest sister, Marianne Spano, Topeka.

Keith was the fifth of nine children, six brothers and three sisters.

Recently, Keith remembered, probably at age five, a Christmas gift he shared with Lee, who is two years younger. Our parents drove to Marysville to shop. Dad parked in front of the J. C. Penney store and Keith saw three children's wagons stacked on top of one another in the display window. Mom took Keith and Lee away and Dad went into the store and bought one wagon. When Mom and the boys returned to the car, Keith noticed one of the wagons was missing. He said, "One of the wagons is gone!" He was assured that "No, it wasn't." He insisted it was! What he said he didn't know, in the backseat of the car, a wagon was wrapped and his feet rested on it on the way home! On Christmas Eve, older brother Neil came out of our parent's bedroom, pulling a wagon! Keith said he and Lee put kindling in the wagon and took it into the kitchen for our Mom's cook stove. The twins, Larry and Lola, born in 1938, and Marianne, in 1939, were hauled around in that wagon as toddlers. It was well used, and, brother Neil repaired it until it was worn out. Keith and his brothers made toys by using lathe and worn out lawn mower wheels. They fastened them together and drove them around the yard.

Keith and Lee were responsible for walking the 2 ¾ miles to country school and helping the twins, Larry and Lola, who began first grade in 1944. The lane from the farm house was three quarters long and had no gravel or rock. It was muddy after rain/snow. Lola remembered that one of the country roads had two hills, too high for them. She said Keith took her hand and pulled her up the hills and Lee took Larry's hand and pulled him up the hills. Lola also remembered as they walked into the school yard one day, the teacher was ringing the school bell. Keith said, "This is the first time, on the last day of school, we have gotten here on time."

Keith drove Dad's car to high school. On the way he stopped at the corner to leave Larry, Lola and Marianne, who walked the last mile to Star country school. When the weather was bad Keith drove us to the school, very compassionate for his younger siblings.

Keith is survived by many nieces and nephews: Jeannie Springer (Steve), Bonnie Randle, Clarice Hall (Noel), Susan Zimmerman (Greg), Peggy Lee Randle (deceased 1950), Debbie Devereaux (Harry), Craig Springer (Jeannine), Deanne Vay, Carol Springer (Dennis), Barry Springer (Karen), Brian Springer (Shari), Claire Springer, Gary Springer (Annie Slafter), Judy Springer (Jason) John Zabokrtsky (Lisa), Lori Reinke (Burdon), Scott Zabokrtsky (Dawn), Jennifer Zabokrtsky and numerous great nieces and nephews.

Keith made sure our mother was well taken care of, although all nine of us supported her. When he didn't drive to Maysville on a week end Keith called Mom at 5:00 Saturday afternoon.

Keith was a Christian son and brother. He was a perfectionist. He had self-assurance at a young age. He worked to achieve his college degree and was generous. He set goals and achieved them. He had a wonderful sense of humor, would say side splitting funny comments.

Our annual family reunion is Memorial Day weekend. On Sunday afternoon, Keith rounded up members to drive to cemeteries to place flowers on graves. In his strong voice Keith would say, "Okay people, let's go!" Nephews John and Scott remember that.

We too will return to God and join Keith, surrounded by God's love, where loved ones were waiting for him to come home. We will soon be with God and you, Keith.

Casket bearers: John Zabokrtsky, Scott Zabokrtsky, Burdon Reinke, Kent Reinke and Brian Springer.
Honorary casket bearers: Noel Hall, N. K Hall, Kelby Reinke, David Anderson, Evan Zabokrtsky, Brennan Zabokrtsky and Craig Springer.

A suggestion of the family is to wear K-State purple to the service.

Keith asked memorial donations be made to Trinity Lutheran Church and designate the building fund.
Memorial donations also may be made to Heartland Hospice. Their staff was exceptional in their care of Keith, as was the staff at Presbyterian Manor.

Keith will lie in state from 12:00 p.m. until 5:00 p.m. on Friday, October 14, 2022 at Penwell-Gabel, 1321 SW 10th Ave., Topeka, KS

Funeral Services will be at 10:00 a.m. on Saturday, October 15, 2022 at Trinity Lutheran Church 725 SW Buchanan St, Topeka, KS 66606. The family will greet friends an hour prior to the service.

Burial with military honors will take place at 3:00 p.m. at Riverside Cemetery in Waterville, Kansas.

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