Dorothy Mae Springer

Dorothy Mae Springer knew how to make things grow. She tended beautiful gardens, helped build a farm, nourished generations around her table and created a family legacy that will endure for years to come.

Dorothy, 96, of rural Independence, Kansas, passed away on Sunday, September 6, 2026, following a battle with cancer. She was born on August 6, 1930, in Parsons, Kansas, to Tom and Marie Hewitt.

Raised during the Great Depression, Dorothy learned the value of hard work, resourcefulness and caring for what had been entrusted to her. Those lessons shaped the strong and capable woman she remained throughout her life.

Dorothy was 16 years old when she married Wesley Hines on January 12, 1947. A few years later, they welcomed their son, Richard Hines. Together, Dorothy and Wesley practiced the virtues of honesty and the value of hard work, lessons that remained at the heart of their family. Wesley preceded Dorothy in death on February 1, 1973.

While working at R&F Farm Supply, Dorothy became friends with its owners, Ruth and Frank Harris. Ruth and Frank introduced Dorothy to Lee Springer, and sparks flew from the moment they met. After their first date, Lee told Dorothy that he was going to marry her. In December 1973, he did. Together, Dorothy and Lee worked tirelessly to continue building Springer Farms and created a legacy that will continue through the family they loved.

Dorothy worked on the farm throughout her entire life and was truly a jack of all trades. She was a gifted gardener, ceramic maker, cook and baker. Her family will especially remember her homemade noodles, which no one could ever make quite like Dorothy. She could grow it, cook it, bake it, mend it or find a way to make it work.

Her faith in Jesus Christ remained an important part of her life. Her family takes comfort in knowing that she is no longer suffering and is now at peace with her Lord and Savior.

Dorothy is survived by her husband, Lee Springer, of the home; her son, Richard Hines of rural Erie, Kansas; and her children through marriage, JoAnn Voth and her husband, Lee, of Lewisville, Texas, Dale Springer and his wife, Judy, of rural Independence, Kansas, and Chuck Springer and his wife, Debbie of rural Independence, Kansas.

She is also survived by her granddaughters, Tracy Gilmore and her husband, Wayne, of Parsons, Kansas, Trisha Ahring and her husband, Trevor, of Garden City, Kansas, and Taryn Pierce and her husband, Chance, of Shawnee, Kansas.

Her grandchildren through marriage are Michael Springer and his wife, Christy, of rural Fredonia, Kansas, Kelly Birk and her husband, Scott, of Neodesha, Kansas, Shelly Keblinger and her husband, Bob, of Cherryvale, Kansas, Jackie Chandler and her husband, Eric, of rural Independence, Kansas, Chris Voth and his wife, Christine, of Seymour, Connecticut, and Jennifer West and her husband, Jason, of Lewisville, Texas.

She is also survived by eighteen great-grandchildren, three great-great-grandchildren; her sister, Phyllis Baker of Pleasant Hill, California; and many extended family members and friends who will carry her memory forward.

Dorothy was preceded in death by her parents, Tom and Marie Hewitt; her daughter-in-law, Mary Hines; her great-grandson, Nathan Gilmore; her great-great-grandson, Anthony Gaona; and her brothers, Jack Hewitt, Don Hewitt, and Delbert Hewitt.

Dorothy's life was built through faith, hard work, honesty and love. The gardens she tended will bloom again, the recipes she passed down will continue to gather her family around the table, and the legacy she and Lee created at Springer Farms will live on for generations.

Visitation will be held Sunday, September 13, 2026, from 5:00 to 7:00 p.m. at Webb Rodrick Chapel, 306 W. Main Street, Independence, Kansas 67301. Funeral services will be held Monday, September 14, 2026, at 10:00 a.m. at Webb Rodrick Chapel, Independence, Kansas. Burial will follow at Lakeview Cemetery, 3 miles South of Erie, Kansas on Hwy. 59. A short graveside service will be held at 12:15 p.m. on September 14, 2026.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to Shriners Hospitals for Children.