Anita Elizabeth Winters left for her heavenly home on May 14, 2026. She was preceded in death by her parents Adam and Elizabeth Eberhard and her sister June Allchin.Anita was born on July 8, 1938 in Sea Cliff, NY. She was the second child of German immigr
Anita Elizabeth Winters left for her heavenly home on May 14, 2026. She was preceded in death by her parents Adam and Elizabeth Eberhard and her sister June Allchin.
Anita was born on July 8, 1938 in Sea Cliff, NY. She was the second child of German immigrants. Her parents came to the United States through Ellis Island in 1926/27 to live the American Dream. They became American citizens and instilled in Anita a great love for America and the freedoms we enjoy here.
Anita attended Catholic school growing up but then attended Glen Cove Highschool on Long Island, NY. Anita was everyone’s friend and head majorette in her high school marching band. She performed in numerous Macy’s Day Parades in New York City and taught many girls to twirl.
After high school, Anita attended the Latin American Institute in New York City. She received a degree in foreign languages and spoke English, German, Spanish, French, and Italian.
After graduation, Anita worked for a large import/export company in New York City. She was the administrative assistant/interpreter for the president of the company. Many foreign businessmen would bring their wives with them and Anita would take them around the city and converse with them in their language.
In the spring of 1958, Anita met Bill Winters on a blind date. Bill was attending Clarkson College in Potsdam, NY…eight hours away from New York City and Long Island. It was love at first sight for Bill. Their love grew through letters and traveling by train on the weekends to see each other.
Anita and Bill were married on August 15, 1959. They honeymooned at Sebago Lake, Maine. From there, they travelled for four days across the country to Logan, Utah, where Bill was furthering his education. From Utah, Bill and Anita went on to live in Oregon, Kansas, Missouri, Connecticut, Virginia, and Tennessee before settling in Oklahoma in 1970.
In June of 1963, Anita and Bill welcomed a baby girl, Heidi. In July of 1967, they welcomed a son, Gary. Anita was a stay-at-home mom for many years and was always a loving, caring, supportive, and wonderful mother. In later years, she was loved and adored by her grandchildren and great grandchildren and was affectionately known as Nany.
For over fifty years, Bill and Anita worked hand in hand managing their rental properties. They touched hundreds of lives over the year and treated each renter like family. Some of these people remain dear friends even to this day.
Anita worked for fifteen years for the Oklahoma State Legislature as an administrative assistant until her retirement in the early 2000s.
Anita and Bill were active members of St John’s Catholic Church in Edmond, OK for over fifty years. Anita served in many capacities over the years, but a few of her favorites were Eucharistic Minister, Lector, and Marriage Preparation.
Anita and Bill were blessed to travel a lot during their retirement. They travelled to Hawaii, Europe, the Bahamas, Ruidoso NM, Colorado, Branson, the Kentucky Derby, and New York along with many trips to see their children, grandchildren, and great grandchildren.
Anita was the love of Bill’s life, and she will be so missed by him and her daughter Heidi Gale of Wichita, KS; her son Gary Winters (Cindy) of Mankato, MN; her granddaughter Katelyn Ballard (Ben) of Springfield, GA; and her grandson Rylee Gale (Cherakee) of Wichita, KS. Anita leaves a legacy of not only her children and grandchildren, but nine great grandchildren… Aliyah, Gage, Tre’, Brantley, Ky’Ran, Chesney, Arabella, Baja, and Catalina.
Anita was an accomplished pianist and a talented seamstress. She loved to cook and bake and entertain. She had an eye for colors and patterns and loved to decorate and coordinate clothing. Anita and Bill enjoyed many years of walking together at North Park Mall.
Anita and Bill loved doing everything together, especially in retirement. They loved each other for over sixty-seven years and had a beautiful life together and a beautiful love.
In lieu of flowers, a memorial has been set up with the Alzheimer’s Association.
