Waters, Mary Catherine Einspahr – 1946-2012

EINSPAHR, PARENT SANTIAGO WATERS, WILLIAMS

Posted By: Diana Wagner
Date: 7/5/2024 at 09:21:06

Mary Catherine Einspahr Waters passed away peacefully in West Branch, Iowa on Thursday, October 4, 2012 after a long battle with Multiple Sclerosis. A Memorial Service will be held at 2pm on Saturday, October 13, 2012 at Odebolt Cemetery in Iowa.
Mary was born in Minneapolis, Minnesota on November 13, 1946, the daughter of John and Irene (Williams) Einspahr. In 1964, she graduated from Minnetonka High School, and in 1968 from University of Iowa College of Nursing, where she was also a member of the Chi Omega sorority. On October 4, 1969 she married Earle Waters in Deephaven, Minnesota. They settled in Lake Oswego, Oregon the following year, where they raised three children. In 1980, the family moved to West Linn, Oregon, where they lived in a new house that was hand-built. The next year she was diagnosed with Multiple Sclerosis. She was happily able to continue working several more years until her condition worsened and she had to retire. In 1994, after the children had left for college, she took an apartment in Portland to be near the bus system, her friends, and the MAC athletic club. In 1998, she moved to the Midwest to be closer to her parents. In 2003, she moved to Crestview Nursing Center in West Branch, Iowa and remained there until her death.
Mary is remembered for her courage, compassion, and optimism. She was a gentle soul and always thought of others first. Everybody loved Mary and she always had a big smile for each without prejudice. She was devoutly Lutheran and raised her children in that tradition. She had a fulfilling career as a nurse, ultimately specializing in work with epileptic patients. She was a faithful daughter and sister, a wonderful mother, and a loving wife. Mary found that swimming helped her condition and she did so regularly at the MAC. She also bravely swam in the Columbia River Cross-Channel Swim in Hood River, Oregon three times despite her physical limitations. She played piano and devotedly sang for many years in the Portland Singing Christmas Tree. She believed strongly in natural foods and medicine. Despite all the ravages of the disease, Mary resolutely continued to make the very best of life. Her radiance and irrepressible optimism inspired many and deeply enriched our lives. We will miss her greatly.
Survivors include her mother Irene Einspahr, brother Fred Einspahr of Kalamazoo, MI, sister Ann Parent of Warren, ME, former husband Earle Waters of Black Butte Ranch, OR, daughter Cynthia Waters of Eugene, OR, daughter Kristen Santiago of Poway, CA, son Greg Waters of Paso Robles, CA, and three grandchildren. The family would appreciate receiving wishes and remembrances of Mary on this (lensingfuneral.com) website.
Source: Lensing Funeral home website
Published in Des Moines (IA) Register; Sunday, October 14, 2012, page11B