Wanda Herta Klara (Springer) Szathmary, age 97 of Monroe, died Monday, March 10, 2025 at SSM Monroe Hospital. Wanda was born on Easter Sunday, April 17, 1927 in East Prussia, (Ostreussen) Germany, the youngest of four children to Fritz and Lydia (Venohr) Springer.
As a two year old little girl, Wanda lost her mother and her bitter sweet hard life began. As a child she worked on the family farm until she was nearly 18. In February, 1945, due to the Russian invasion, Wanda had to flee her home forever. It was the cruelest crime to mankind. Millions fled or died. They lost their land, home, grain bins, and stables of livestock. Wanda went through the hardest time of her life, homeless, hungry, jobless, while separated from family. After months she found a safe place on a farm in Thuringen, Germany.
In 1957, Wanda immigrated to Connecticut and met her dear husband, Geza Szathmary. They were married on February 6, 1960 in Norwalk, CT. Three weeks following their marriage the couple lost all their belongings and three dogs in a fire. In early 1965, Wanda lost her only pregnancy. They relocated to Chicago in 1965 where Wanda managed the famous restaurant, “The Bakery”, which was owned by Geza’s brother. In 1982, Wanda and Geza moved to their beloved farm in Browtown, WI, where they enjoyed raising horses, sheep, geese, peacocks, chickens, dogs, and cats. Wanda grew vegetables and tended to her flower garden. Due to Geza’s health issues, the couple moved to Monroe in 1993. She was a long time resident at Twining Valley Retirement Community.
Wanda had many hobbies including cooking, sewing, needlepoint, knitting, and reading poems and old stories from her homeland. She also enjoyed listening to music, cooking for families in need, and helping immigrants in Chicago find employment, housing, and credit. She was a member of St. John’s United Church of Christ, enjoyed the Green County YMCA, and was a former member of the Charter Chums Club.
She is survived by nieces and nephews, a niece in Connecticut, cousins in Michigan, a Godson in Florida, and her longtime best friend, Astrid Tury of Connecticut. She was preceded in death by her parents; her husband, Geza in Feb. 1999; brother, Siegfried Springer; sisters, Hanna Dubbelfeld and Ruth Mahlberg; and her close companion and special cat, Shu Shu.
Graveside services will be held on Tuesday, March 18, 2025, at 11:00 a.m., at Greenwood Cemetery, Monroe, with Pastor Christina Schoenwetter officiating. Memorials are suggested in Wanda’s name to the Green County Humane Society. The NEWCOMER FUNERAL HOME, Monroe, is assisting the family. Condolences may be shared at www.newcomerfuneralhome.net
