Willa Lou Springer, 69, Osawatomie, died Sunday, Dec. 5, 1999 in Olathe Medical. She had been hospitalized since suffering a heart attack at her home Nov. 19. She underwent heart bypass surgery Nov. 23.

Known as Willie, she was born Sept. 17, 1930 in Osawatomie, the oldest of the three children of Lawrence Everett Raymond and Ruby E. Holt Matherly. She grew up in Osawatomie, attended local schools and graduated from Osawatomie High School in 1948.

On April 11, 1949 she and Robert Springer were married in Osawatomie. They became the parents of five children. Their marriage ended in divorce in February 1975.

Mrs. Springer worked as a bartender and waitress in the Red Fox, rural Osaawatomie, for about 13 years.

She was a Raiders' fan. A member of the Osawatomie Alumni Association, she had served as corresponding secretary for her class for many years.

Survivors include two sons, Kevin Springer of Meade and Martin Springer of Osawatomie; thre daughters, Leslie Eckhoff of Meade, Amy Gronniger of Troy and April Buckman of Garnett; a brother, Larry Matherly of Woodland Park, Colo.; a sister, Wanda Spinuzzi of Denton, Texas; 13 grandchildren; and seven great-grandchildren.

Services will be at 11 a.m. Thursday, Dec. 9, in Eddy-Birchard Funeral Home in Osawatomie. Visitation was from 7 to 9 p.m. Wednesday, Dec. 8. Burial will be in Osawatomie Cemetery.

Memorials may be made to the Osawatomie Public Library or the Osawatomie Alumni scholarship fund.