Evelyn Leona Keffer

Evelyn Leona Keffer (Auntie), at 80, died quietly at home on May 15, 2015. She was born August 5, 1934 in Waynoka, Oklahoma. Evelyn had slowly progressing COPD and CHF, each one complicating the other, until her heart finally gave up the battle. Evelyn was preceded in death by her parents, Ralph Reuben Keffer and Urcie Mae Harmon-Keffer of Waynoka. She is survived by two sisters, Jeanne Smith and Betty Kinder and her husband Bob. She is also survived by her brother, Earl Dean Keffer and his wife, Mona, along with seven nieces and nephews, and numerous great nieces and nephews. Evelyn is also survived by members of her immediate household: Margaret King, her Australian Shepherd, Katie, an Afghan mix, Willie, four cats, fish, and whatever else needed shelter or help. She has many friends and supporters, including her best friend, Sally Walker, who was always there for her and who shared many hours of laughter and fun. Evelyn received her Bachelor of Science in Education from Northwestern State College, Alva, Oklahoma in 1956. She taught at the grade school level until 1969 when she graduated from Central State College in Edmond, Oklahoma with her Master’s Degree in Library Science and became the school librarian. Evelyn possessed magnificent teaching skills and was kind with students. To this day, they call her and if they saw her somewhere, they thanked her for all she did to help them. Evelyn was the school Librarian until she took a position as OR Surgery Clerk at OU Health Sciences Center until her retirement in 1992, but she never stopped working. She traveled with Dr. King to assist her while she earned a Doctor of Veterinary Medicine Degree. They spent three months living in Dallas in their new motor home while Margaret trained at the Southwest Medical Center. Then they spent three and ½ months in San Antonio where she monitored Margaret’s work at the Primate Center and helped her study for the Boards. They both graduated (Evelyn’s was honorary) from the OSU College of Veterinary Medicine in 1993. Evelyn worked as the co-owner and Practice Manager at their new Acre View Pet Hospital & Laser Center learning to run the office. She also helped as Technical Assistant, and was there from 1995 to 2011. She loved helping care for the animals and coordinating activities, as well as balancing the budget and paying the bills. Evelyn spent the last four years assisting with the greatly scaled down King Mobile Veterinary Services. She has had more time to travel with the RVing Women (RVW) all over the country with yet a newer 32 ft. class A RV. She thoroughly enjoyed meeting the new friends, traveling, and seeing the countryside. Evelyn truly enjoyed life in every way and was happiest out on her mower helping care for the acreage, KOI pond and wildlife. She loved all of God’s nature. She loved gardening, fishing, working word puzzles, loving on her kids, and being there for friends and family, especially to organize feasts at Thanksgivings and Christmases. Dinner at Auntie’s was always the hottest deal in town. She was a fabulous cook and loved to share her talents. Evelyn will be sorely missed by all who knew and loved her. Holidays will just never be the same. Memorials may be made in her name to the Best Friends Animal Sanctuary in Kanab, Utah, the Central Oklahoma Humane Society in Oklahoma City, or Free to Live in Edmond. Memorial Services celebrating Evelyn’s life and memory will be held at the Memorial Park Funeral Home, 13313 N. Kelley in Oklahoma City on May 19, 2015 at 2:00 PM. Interment will follow at Memorial Park Cemetery.