Shirley J. Spease

STEVENS POINT – Shirley Jeanne Spease, age 93, of Stevens Point, formerly of Lancaster, passed away on Thursday, December 9, 2021, at Ascension St. Michael's Hospital in Stevens Point, WI. She was born on August 2, 1928, in Potosi, the daughter of Herbert William and Lois Maude (Flitsch) Wiedmann. Shirley grew up in Milwaukee and went to school there into her senior year, returned to Potosi in 1944 and graduated from Potosi High School in 1945 at the age of sixteen. In 1946, she met the love of her life, Reubin Spease. On June 10, 1947, they were united in marriage at St. Thomas Catholic Church in Potosi, bringing her full circle back to her roots. After their marriage, they farmed in Lancaster for 13 years. When their barn burned down, they sold the farm maintained ten acres and built a new home. Reubin was employed with Haskins Gas & Oil. They were married for 63 years. Reubin and Shirley traveled to 48 of the 50 states and enjoyed their cabin for 30 years at River of Lakes in Bagley. Shirley was employed for the Grant County Planning and Civil Defense, Piggly Wiggly, and Luhman's Department Store for six years. She was a member of St. Clement Catholic Church, the Catholic Daughters, Catholic Women, and the Grant County Genealogical Society. Shirley tracked some of her family back to 1600. She and Reubin had three children: Patricia Ann, Steven R., and Gary E. Spease. After their children were grown, they raised three grandchildren for eleven years. Shirley started her own ceramics business in her home for thirteen years while raising her grandchildren. She became a certified ceramic teacher. Shirley was an avid reader, enjoyed crocheting, knitting and all needle work, rug hooker, ceramics, genealogy, scrapbooking, and most of all, she loved her family and making feasts for all for every holiday and birthday.
Shirley was preceded in death by her husband, Reubin in 2010; her son, Steven in 2013; her grandson, Glenn in 2007; her grandson, Chris in 2009; a son-in-law, Ervin Folz; her brother, Carl Dale Wiedmann in 2011; a great-granddaughter, Brianna Rae Everson in 2005.
Survivors include her children: Patricia "Patti" Folz; Gary (JoAnne) Spease; 5 grandchildren; 19 great-grandchildren; 7 great-great grandchildren; a sister-in-law, Ruby Wiedmann; three nieces: Susan (Jack) Avery, Linda (Steve) Burdine and Caroline Copeland.
A Mass of Christian Burial will be held on Tuesday, December 14, 2021, at 11:30 a.m. at St. Clement Catholic Church in Lancaster, with Fr. William Vernon officiating. Burial will be in Hillside Cemetery, Lancaster. Visitation will be on Tuesday from 10:00 a.m. until time of services with a 10:00 a.m. rosary. Martin Schwartz Funeral Home & Crematory in Lancaster is assisting the family.