West Bend, WI – Mary Jane Spaeth (nee Knoebel), 84, of West Bend died peacefully on Monday, March 10, 2025. She was born January 11, 1941 in West Bend to Ward and Jane (nee Kluever) Knoebel.
On November 28, 1959 she was united in marriage to Anthony “Tony” Spaeth. Tony preceded her in death four and a half months ago on October 24, 2024.
Mary lived a rich and joyful life filled with adventure, connection, and a deep love for the simple pleasures that brought people together.
When her children were young, it was important for Mary to be there for her children as a stay-at-home mom. Once her children started school, she held various jobs that continued to allow her to be there when they needed her. She was successful in selling Worldbook and Childcraft door to door, worked part-time at the West Bend Company, and for over 40 years was a Crossing Guard helping school children safely cross some of the busiest streets in town.
Mary was a traveler at heart, crisscrossing the country and traveling abroad, with a passion for planning each journey as much as she cherished the experiences themselves. She especially enjoyed her vacations to Seattle and New Orleans via Amtrak, as well as her European vacations to Germany exploring her German heritage, and to Italy with her brothers and sisters in-law to visit Sister Laura Jean, who was stationed in Rome.
An avid reader, she found delight in the latest novels and biographies, as well as her many monthly magazine subscriptions, and she never missed reading the day’s newspaper. Her competitive spirit shone through in card games especially sheepshead and bridge with her many card clubs, or playing crazy eight or dominoes with her grandchildren.
She was a very social person and enjoyed being an active member of the Red Hat Society, meeting her friends for coffee at McDonald’s, delivering Meals on Wheels, and volunteering at West Bend’s Germanfest. She was also a proud Wisconsin Badger fan, cheering with enthusiasm. Her love for sports extended to the sidelines, where she was a constant supporter, watching and encouraging her children and grandchildren in their athletic pursuits. In her younger days, Mary enjoyed taking long bike rides (usually stopping for an ice cream cone along the way), and was an avid bowler, enjoying the fun and friendships with every roll.
Above all, Mary’s heart belonged to the water and the beach. It didn’t matter if it was: Regner Park, where she spent many summer days; camping at Mauthe Lake; relaxing on the bluffs in Port Washington to enjoy the cool lake breeze or a Friday night fish fry; boating on the lakes around Oshkosh; or taking walks by the ocean on Orange Beach collecting seashells – she loved to have her feet in the sand and her family or friends by her side.
Mary is survived by her 3 children: Connie (Scott) McDonald, Janet Spaeth and Tony (Michelle) Spaeth and her grandchildren: Ryan and Eryn McDonald, Abby Spaeth and Sydney, Christian and Averie Spaeth. She is also survived by her sisters Kay (Harry) Chesak and Joan (Marcel) Lindert, brothers-in-law and sisters-in-law: Jerome (Diane) Spaeth, Bernie (Trish) Spaeth, Ron (Helen) Spaeth, Rich (Judy) Spaeth, Lucy (Dave) Bingen and Ruth Spaeth. She is further survived by her life-long and cherished friend Susie Tennies, nieces, nephews, and other relatives and friends.
She is preceded in death by her parents, Ward and Jane Knoebel, her husband Tony Spaeth, her son Michael Spaeth, her sister and brother-in-law Ruth and Jack Reis, Tony’s parents: Isadore and Lorraine Spaeth, brothers-in-law and sisters-in-law: Hank (Laverne) Spaeth, Sister Gabriel Mary Spaeth SSND, Chuck Spaeth, Alice (Merlin) Adelmeyer, Mary (Lloyd) Verhaalen, Sister Laura Jean Spaeth SSND, nieces Barbara Verhaalen and Sherry Lutz and nephews Dennis Spaeth, Chuckie Spaeth and Tom Chesak.
Our family would like to extend a special and heartfelt Thank You to Cornerstone Assisted Living and Allay Hospice for taking such wonderful care of our mom, and to her niece Sue Adelmeyer for her ongoing support and friendship throughout mom’s journey “home“.
A Celebration of Life open house will be held Sunday, April 6, 2025 at The Tower Heritage Center in the 1889 Courthouse in West Bend from 1:00 p.m. until 4:00 p.m.
In lieu of flowers, memorials in Mary Jane’s name may be given to Holy Angels School.
The Schmidt Funeral Home in West Bend is serving the family.
