Mary Lou Spaeth

Mary Lou Spaeth, 90, passed away at home in Waukegan, IL, on July 12, 2021, surrounded by her loving family. She was born in Hancock, Michigan on June 27, 1931, the daughter of Douglas and Lucy (Condon) Trangmar. She lived most of her life in Waukegan, graduating from Holy Child High School in 1949. She married the love of her life, George E. Spaeth, on October 4, 1952. She was a woman of deep faith and spirituality. She spent over 30 years at St. Anastasia School as a teacher’s aide helping primary students with their reading. But her real joy was her 40 years of preparing second graders for their First Holy Eucharist. She also touched countless individuals through her lifetime of service roles at St. Anastasia Church including Eucharistic Ministry, Prayer Shawl Ministry, Giving Tree, Soup Kitchen, and more. She loved being with her five children and spent most summers camping with them and other loved ones. She delighted in being a grandmother to her 11 grandchildren and was proud of all of their accomplishments. She is survived by her five children, George D. Spaeth, Waukegan IL, Mary (Ken) Buroker, Madison WI, Doug (Karen) Spaeth, Kenosha WI, Jim (Lisa) Spaeth, Morrison CO, and Cathy (John) McGowan, Willowbrook IL; grandchildren, Megan (Justin) Mirkes of McFarland WI and Katie Buroker, Madison WI, Andrew (Erin) Spaeth, Holden MA, Emily Spaeth and Christina (Alex) Moffett, Kenosha WI, Ellesse (Sean) DesMarteau, Denver CO, Jay (Katie Clausing) McGowan, Chicago IL, Caleigh McGowan, Willowbrook IL, and Liam (Katie Maurer) McGowan, Orland Park IL; great-grandchildren, Garik Spaeth, Molly and Riley Mirkes, and Avery DesMarteau; her sister, Jean McLaughlin, Chesterfield MO; sister-in-law and dear friend Fran Pirlot, Waukegan, IL; and many loving nieces and nephews. She was preceded in death by her husband, George Spaeth, her parents, Douglas and Lucy Trangmar; and two grandchildren, Connor Spaeth and Anne Spaeth.

A Mass of Christian Burial will be held at St. Anastasia Church on Friday, July 16, 2021 at 10:00 a.m. Burial will be at Ascension Cemetery. Friends may call at the Peterson & Patch Funeral Home, 408 N. Sheridan Rd., Waukegan, IL on Thursday, July 15, 2021 from 4:30-8:30 p.m.

In lieu of flowers, please make donations to St. Anastasia Church, 624 Douglas, Waukegan, IL 60085 or Matthias Academy matthiasacademy.org, an organization close to Mary Lou’s heart as it provides a day program for disabled adults, including one of her beloved grandchildren. You can donate directly on the website or write Mary Lou Spaeth’s name in the memo field of a check - www.matthiasacademy.org.