Emma Kathryn Lee Oswalt, lifelong Ponca city resident, passed peacefully on October 12, surrounded by her family. Emma was born on May 19, 1930 to Herman Joseph Thele and Margetta America Galusha. She was the seventh child in the family of ten children.

She married her first love, Elgin Lee, on January 17, 1948. They were married for fifty-one years. They loved to bowl. They traveled together in their later years with her sister and brother-in-law, Margaret and Bob Romer. Emma liked spending time with her family, her neighbors, and in her garden. Elgin passed on June 5, 1999. She found love again and married Bobby Oswalt on July 27, 2001. They loved to travel and a favorite memory was their trip to Pebble Beach, California. Bob passed on March 14, 2004. Emma enjoyed going to the Senior Center in Ponca City for several years.

She was preceded in death by her parents, most of her siblings, her step-daughter, Kaye Shockley, and her son-in-law, Larry Neilson. She is survived by her son, Rick (Tamara) Lee, Stillwater, daughters Carol Neilson, Ponca City, Rena (Jim) Waddelow, Edmond, and DJ Corona, Ponca City, and her bonus daughter, Wilma Boyett of Ponca City. She is also survived by her brother Robert Thele of Chicago and her sister Margaret (Bob) Romer of Broken Arrow. She leaves behind thirteen grandchildren and many great-grandchildren, nieces and nephews.

Emma was the best Mom and grandma in the world and will be missed by all her family.

Paid Obituary