Wandola Lockridge

A Memorial Service will be held Tuesday, May 24 at 1:00 PM in Ladusau-Evans Chapel with Pastor Dwayne Schroeder officiating.

Wandola was born to Earl and Anna (Staerkel) Gregg in Covington, Oklahoma on August 26, 1931 and passed away at Brookdale Assisted Living Center Stillwater on May 14, 2022. Her schooling started at Lone Star School and then graduated from Covington High School in 1949. She furthered her education through classes at University of Central Oklahoma and Autry Vo-Tech, then was employed at Vance Air Force Base where she retired after 27 years. Many life-long friends were made at Vance.

On September 2, 1949 she married Keith Lockridge at the country St John’s Lutheran Church near Covington, Oklahoma. They farmed and raised cattle in the Douglas community. Flower beds were filled with herbs and flowers every season. Her irises were exceptionally beautiful. Vegetable gardens were harvested through the years for the table and canning. Sewn and crocheted items filled the household. She and her sister, Betty shared sewing patterns, recipes, and shopping trips.

Wandola earned the name Grandma Cookie from her step grandchildren. She prepared cook-outs with all the trimmings. She’s known for her Pumpkin Chiffon and birthday favorite-Carrot Cake. Grandkids and Great grandkids know her for her Cookies While You Sleep.

Geneaology was a passion that Wandola shared with her cousin Mary Durheim. They traveled to the American Historical Society of Germans from Russia conventions as far away as Nebraska, California and Washington state. They had researched information to tell at the annual Staerkel Reunion about their Grandparent’s immigration from the Volga region of Russia.

Going places to see new sights and to visit family were experiences she treasured. The top of the Twin Towers, North Carolina mountains, Hawaii, and Europe with family and friends were rewarding for her.

Trips to and from doctors’ appointments with brother James and sister-in-law Sharon were fun. They stopped for meals and fried pies every trip. The real fun was the sharing of family stories. James, along with Greg, was a source of strength as Wandola managed the farm after Keith’s passing.

A stroke in November 2019, resulted in assisted living for the next 2 ½ years. The staff at Brookdale Stillwater showed their loved for her with great passion. When returning to Brookdale after each hospitalization, they welcomed her back, very happy to see her. She’d say that she was home now. Those caring staff members, too many to name, were the most professional, passionate and caring group imaginable. Wandola was friendly and helpful to residents around her and shared her Pringles and cookies.

The family will forever be grateful for the loving care Wandola received every day. She persevered through many challenges throughout her 90 years of life.

Preceding her in death are her husband, parents, brother and sister-in-law Cledith and Viola Gregg and sister Betty (Gregg) Henneke.

Wandola is survived by her three children-Marilyn Steele and husband, Byron, Allen, Texas; Marlene Hand and husband, David, Prague, Oklahoma; and Greg Lockridge, Enid, Oklahoma.

Grandchildren and Great Grandchildren include: Justin and wife Jennifer Steele, Harper and Jack Steele, Coppell, Texas; Kathryn Steele, Allen, Texas; Dr. Shelby Lewis and husband Dr. Carey Lewis, Dason and Kade Lewis, Bartlesville, Oklahoma;

Daley and husband Ed Roybal, Liam and EJ Roybal, Edmond, Oklahoma; Emily and husband Matt Morgan, Edmond, Oklahoma; James and Sharon Gregg, brother and sister-in-law, Lucien, Oklahoma and Charles Henneke, Drummond, Oklahoma.

Extended family is Kippie Lockridge, Enid, Oklahoma; Jimmy and wife Kim Meek, Robert, James, Sarina and Jesse Meek, Krebs, Oklahoma; Barbara and husband Dan Benton, Gabriel, Joseph, and Elizabeth Benton, Norman, Oklahoma; John Meek, Oklahoma City, Oklahoma.

Condolences to the family may be made at Ladusauevbans.com.

Memorial contributions may be made through the funeral home to Redeemer Lutheran Church Family Life Center with Ladusau-Evans serving as custodian the funds.