Olive McFall Springer

Olive McFall Springer died at age 102 on November 11, 2023 peacefully in her sleep at her home in East Lansing, Michigan. She was born in 1920 in Spencer County, Indiana to parents Peter McFall and Lydia Horton McFall. Olive had a devoted and affectionate relationship with her mother throughout her life. She was the youngest of four children, and was predeceased by brother Charles and sisters Mary Evelyn [Kelly] and Nell [Snyder]. Olive was an excellent student and from the age of 6 saved her report cards that attested to her intelligence and diligence as a student. After graduation, Olive trained as a practical nurse, and during WWII joined the WAVES (Women’s Navy Reserve). Stationed in California, she met Francis (Frank) Springer. The relationship bloomed, despite his early dating mistake of taking her out for breakfast, letting her order a large meal, then ordering only coffee for himself.

After the war, the two married and thus began a truly fulfilling union. Olive returned with Frank to his home state of Iowa where he earned a degree in Mechanical Engineering, and she worked as secretary to the director of the UI Dental College. After graduation Frank began work for Dow Chemical Company, and after a brief stay in Texas, moved to Boulder, Colorado where they lived for over 30 years, raising daughter Anne [Kitching] and son, David.

Olive kept a peaceful, beautiful, orderly home. She resolutely put her children first, making sure they always had opportunities to explore the world from a happy, secure home base. In her spare time Olive taught herself to sew and became a meticulous seamstress and tailor, making much of her own and her daughter’s clothing. She later taught herself to crochet and created exquisitely crafted sweaters and afghans. As a self-taught bridge player, her sharp intelligence made her an excellent one. As an empty-nester, Olive began work as secretary at the Western Interstate Commission on Higher Education, a job she kept until she and Frank moved to Michigan in the late ‘70s.

In Midland, Michigan Olive worked at Dow Corning as an executive secretary until retirement, when the couple moved to Cadillac where they spent many happy years. Several trips to Europe were interspersed by committed volunteer service to the community. Olive devoted significant time to the Mercy Hospital Auxiliary and eventually served as President.

Olive was preceded in death by her husband and son. In her later years she lived near family in East Lansing, Michigan. She enjoyed many visits from her daughter, grandchildren and great-grandchildren. She was pleased to hear frequently from her daughter-in-law (Sarah Springer), her nieces (Bonnie Toland Sullivan and Mary Riggle), and many old friends.

In addition to her daughter, Olive leaves behind grandchildren Aidan Kitching (Susan), Lydia Richmond (Vance), Sergei Kitching, Evgenii Kitching and Anastasia (Brenden) Greenman, as well as great-grandchildren Calvin, Patrick, Merryn, Emma and Josephine Kitching; Olive and Koa Richmond; Monica Kulikova-Kitching; and Maya, Carson and Iliana Greenman.

A special thanks to the staff at Burcham Hills Retirement Center for their devoted care.

As with her husband Frank [integrity, kindness, generosity, optimism, humor], Olive’s tombstone will bear five words: courage, self-control, order, determination, care.

Under Olive’s courage, determination and self-control, was a woman who hid the tenderest of hearts. She found humor in daily life, and in every place and situation worked to make things better.

A small graveside service is planned in Wapello, Iowa where she will be buried next to her husband.