IN LOVING MEMORY OF
Barbara
Spaeth
August 2, 1938 – March 15, 2025
Obituary
Barbara Anita Spaeth (nee Sponholz), 86, died peacefully in her sleep on March 15, 2025, at Ivy Manor, West Bend. She was born August 2, 1938, to Herbert and Marjorie Sponholz in Jackson, Wisconsin.
Barbara graduated from West Bend High School in 1956. She worked at Enger-Kress in the office before marrying Charles Spaeth on July 13, 1957, at Holy Angels Church in West Bend. The couple farmed in the Town of Polk before buying a dairy farm in the Town of Farmington where they raised four girls.
Barbara worked hard on the family dairy farm, milking cows, feeding calves, cooking for hordes of hired hands during harvesting season, maintaining a large garden, pickling and canning, dreaming up tasty recipes while milking, working in the fields picking stones and raking hay. She loved having her family around her, sitting on the porch at their Orchard Valley Road farm, driving around the neighborhood, visiting her friends at Ivy Manor, playing cards and Bingo, working on crossword puzzles and regular calls to "checkup" on everyone since she said that was her job. She enjoyed watching the Brewers play, reminiscing with Polka, Polka, Polka and watching game shows. She looked forward to going to the West Bend farmers market every weekend from May to October. Her daughters lovingly referred to her as "short one" and she would always respond by sassily sticking out her tongue. She will be deeply missed for her smile, humor, kindness and sassiness.
Barbara is survived by her daughters Carol Spaeth-Bauer (Gary Bauer), Bonnie (Keith) Lindbeck, Cheryl (Jon Paul) Starling, and Brenda Mundt; grandchildren Stephanie (Justin) Graf, Greg Bauer, Andrew (Emily) Bauer, Chad (Kayla) Gillian, Alexandra (Andre) Howard, Cassie (Andy) Tappa, and Ryan Megonigle; great grandchildren Brock and Jase Nottling, Magnolia and Wells Graf, Ellie and Charles Bauer, Lane and Lara Tappa, Noah and Amelia Gillian, and fur grandchildren Smokey and Bandit. She is also survived by her brothers, Herbert Sponholz, Carl (Kathy) Sponholz, sister, Beverly (Eugene) Mueller and brother, Kenneth (Sandra) Sponholz, sisters-in-law, Donna Spaeth, Alice Spaeth, Patty Spaeth; brothers-in-law Eddie Spaeth and Danny Spaeth, other relatives and friends.
She is preceded in death by her husband Charles, parents Herbert and Marjorie Sponholz, father and mother-in-law Lawrence and Margaret (née Melder) Spaeth, son-in-law Michael Mundt, grandson Scott Reichert and many other relatives.
The family would like to thank the amazing staff at Ivy Manor Assisted Living in West Bend and Preceptor Hospice for their kind, passionate care.
Visitation will be held March 31, 2025, from 3 – 5:15 p.m., at Phillip Funeral Home, 1420 Paradise Dr, West Bend, followed by a Memorial Service.
Barbara graduated from West Bend High School in 1956. She worked at Enger-Kress in the office before marrying Charles Spaeth on July 13, 1957, at Holy Angels Church in West Bend. The couple farmed in the Town of Polk before buying a dairy farm in the Town of Farmington where they raised four girls.
Barbara worked hard on the family dairy farm, milking cows, feeding calves, cooking for hordes of hired hands during harvesting season, maintaining a large garden, pickling and canning, dreaming up tasty recipes while milking, working in the fields picking stones and raking hay. She loved having her family around her, sitting on the porch at their Orchard Valley Road farm, driving around the neighborhood, visiting her friends at Ivy Manor, playing cards and Bingo, working on crossword puzzles and regular calls to "checkup" on everyone since she said that was her job. She enjoyed watching the Brewers play, reminiscing with Polka, Polka, Polka and watching game shows. She looked forward to going to the West Bend farmers market every weekend from May to October. Her daughters lovingly referred to her as "short one" and she would always respond by sassily sticking out her tongue. She will be deeply missed for her smile, humor, kindness and sassiness.
Barbara is survived by her daughters Carol Spaeth-Bauer (Gary Bauer), Bonnie (Keith) Lindbeck, Cheryl (Jon Paul) Starling, and Brenda Mundt; grandchildren Stephanie (Justin) Graf, Greg Bauer, Andrew (Emily) Bauer, Chad (Kayla) Gillian, Alexandra (Andre) Howard, Cassie (Andy) Tappa, and Ryan Megonigle; great grandchildren Brock and Jase Nottling, Magnolia and Wells Graf, Ellie and Charles Bauer, Lane and Lara Tappa, Noah and Amelia Gillian, and fur grandchildren Smokey and Bandit. She is also survived by her brothers, Herbert Sponholz, Carl (Kathy) Sponholz, sister, Beverly (Eugene) Mueller and brother, Kenneth (Sandra) Sponholz, sisters-in-law, Donna Spaeth, Alice Spaeth, Patty Spaeth; brothers-in-law Eddie Spaeth and Danny Spaeth, other relatives and friends.
She is preceded in death by her husband Charles, parents Herbert and Marjorie Sponholz, father and mother-in-law Lawrence and Margaret (née Melder) Spaeth, son-in-law Michael Mundt, grandson Scott Reichert and many other relatives.
The family would like to thank the amazing staff at Ivy Manor Assisted Living in West Bend and Preceptor Hospice for their kind, passionate care.
Visitation will be held March 31, 2025, from 3 – 5:15 p.m., at Phillip Funeral Home, 1420 Paradise Dr, West Bend, followed by a Memorial Service.
To order memorial trees or send flowers to the family in memory of Barbara Spaeth, please visit our flower store.
Services
Visitation
March
31
Phillip Funeral Home Chapel
3:00 - 5:15 pm
Memorial Service
March
31
Phillip Funeral Home Chapel
Starts at 5:30 pm
Barbara Spaeth's Guestbook
Visits: 4
This site is protected by reCAPTCHA and the
Google Privacy Policy and Terms of Service apply.
Service map data © OpenStreetMap contributors