NORMAN SPIELBAUER

Norman J. Spielbauer, age 84 of Neenah, passed away Saturday, February 13, 2016, at home, surrounded by his family. He was born February 22, 1931 to the late Leo and Mary (Vander Loop) Spielbauer in South Milwaukee. On June 25, 1955, he married Mary C. Kubasta. 

 

Norm was a proud Veteran, having served as an Airman First Class in the U.S. Air Force during the Korean Conflict from 1950 to 1953, and was stationed in Korea. Upon his return to the states and discharge from the service, Norm worked for, and retired from, Gilbert Paper Company after many, many years of service. On September 13, 1986, he was ordained and served as a Deacon for St. Margaret Mary Catholic Church in Neenah. He was also honored as a 3rd degree Knight in the Knights of Columbus and was very active in the Boys' and Girls' Brigade, spending a lot of time at Camp Onaway. In his free time, Norm enjoyed camping, dancing the polka, and playing sheepshead. His family enjoyed the many songs he loved to sing on car trips and vacations. 

Norm will be missed by his wife of over 60 years, Mary; his children: Shari (Larry Myer) Blohm; Mary (Jim) Zelhofer; and Paul Spielbauer; his grandchildren: Jill (Dan) Myer-Wachowiak; Eddie (Brooke) Zelhofer; and Liz (Amanda) Crouse; as well as his great-grandchildren: Nathan James Wachowiak; Revan James Zelhofer; and Kalli Jester. He is further survived by his siblings and in-laws: Sister Mary Lee; Carol Konetzke; Marv (Ruth) Spielbauer; LeRoy (Sandy) Spielbauer; Mary Ellen Spielbauer; and Jackie Spielbauer; as well as many nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by his brothers: Edgar; Robert; Donald; and Richard; his sister-in-law, Esther; and his brother-in-law, Jim Konetzke; and twin brothers, Michael and John, who died shortly after birth. 

A Memorial Mass for Norm will be held at 11:00 A.M. on Wednesday, February 17, 2016 at St. Margaret Mary Catholic Church, 439 Washington Ave., Neenah. A visitation will be held on Tuesday, February 16, 2016 from 4:00 P.M. until A Time of Prayer at 6:00 P.M. at Neenah's Westgor Funeral Home, and again at church on Wednesday from 9:30 A.M. until the hour of service. 

Our dad passed into heaven on angels wings. He went peacefully, surrounded in love. He fought a brave and gallant fight against a disease that is devastating in its effects on the body - Huntington's disease - a disease he never let define him. He was independent through it all, with a strong heart and will to live. Unfortunately, the disease did win, he died in a body that was consumed by the disease, a mere whisper of himself, but with a spirit that never gave up. He is our dad, he is our hero, he is our role model, he will be deeply and dearly missed. We love you daddy, dad, papa....  Shari, Mary and Paul