Eileen Spieker

Eileen Spieker, age 82, Bryant, formerly of Willow Lake, the widow of Edgar Spieker, died peacefully surrounded by several family members early Easter Sunday morning, April 8, 2012 in the Parkview Care Center at Bryant. Visitation will be held on Monday, April 9, 2012 from 5-7PM at the United Presbyterian Church in Willow Lake and will continue after 9AM on Tuesday morning also at the Church. Funeral services will be held on Tuesday, April 10, 2012 at 11AM in the United Presbyterian Church at Willow Lake with Pastor Lois Aroian officiating. Dorothy Haug, Melanie Schmidt and Henry Johnson will sing "In The Garden" and "Just a Closer Walk With Thee". The congregation will sing "Blessed Assurance". JoLayne Symens will be the organist. Casketbearers will be Dr. Craig Spieker, Jeff & Devon Wahlert, Joe Daniski, Ron Walz and David Tritle. Burial will follow in the Collins Cemetery at Willow Lake. Eileen Louise Thaden was born on November 10, 1929, to Arthur and Hannah (Johnson) Thaden on her parent's farm in Clark County west of Willow Lake. She attended a country school two miles from her home. When Eileen was in eighth grade, her parents purchased the farm that her grandfather, Eilert L Thaden had owned south-east of Willow Lake. Then she attended Willow Lake High School and graduated in 1947. Before graduation she worked in Citizens State Bank as a teller. It was there where she met her future husband, Edgar Harvey Spieker. They were married on February 4, 1949, in Huron by her uncle, Rev. Benjamin Thaden. The couple first lived on a farm near her parents but in 1953, they purchased the farm in Washington Township where they farmed together and made a home for their six children. The Spieker's were active in their church and community. When telephones were owned by farmers, Eileen became the treasurer of the South Side Telephone Company while Edgar served as a lineman. She enjoyed her neighborhood "Go & Sew" Club where neighbors helped each other with sewing projects. When her children were young, she led the children in song before Sunday school and enjoyed singing in the church choir. As her children grew, she became actively involved in 4-H with them. Her passions were gardening, reading, genealogy, writing letters and cards, quilting and crocheting. She hand quilted quilts for each of her six children and did tied quilts for her grandchildren plus crocheting many afghans. Later she acted as the church's historian and filled many scrapbooks with church memories and pictures. She especially treasured pictures and visits from her great grandchildren. Eileen was a member of the Presbyterian Church United in Willow Lake. She served as an officer for the Ladies Aid and American Legion Auxiliary for many years. She was also a member of the Willow Lake Alumni Association. Edgar passed away on May 3, 1986. Eileen continued to live on the farm until health issues required her to move to the Parkview Care Center in Bryant in April 2003. Grateful for sharing her life are her children, Peggy (Gary) Nelson of Willow Lake; Dr. Harvey Spieker of Clark; Betty (Michael) Borg of Post Falls, ID; Kathie (Michael) Grann of Wallace; Vickie (Daniel) Bonney of Acworth, GA.; and her brother, Eugene Thaden of Myrtle Beach, SC; 10 grandchildren and 16 great grandchildren She was preceded in death by her parents, husband, her youngest son, Tim Spieker, a brother, Jim Thaden,a daughter-in-law, Karen Spieker and two great grandchildren, Hannah and Luke Walz. Funeral arrangements are with the Furness Funeral Home at Clark. For further information please visit www.furnessfuneralhome.com