Rita F. Spangler, age 95, a life-long Beaver Dam resident, died Thursday, March 19, 2015 at Hillside Manor in Beaver Dam.
Visitation for Rita will be at the Koepsell-Murray Funeral Home on Friday, March 27, 2015 from 4:00 pm to 6:30 pm, where a short prayer and a time to remember Rita will be held at 6:30 pm. On Saturday, March 28, 2015, there will be visitation at the funeral home from 9:30 am to 10:20 am with a closing service at 10:30 am. Mass of Christian Burial will follow at St. Katharine Drexel Church at 11:00 am. Fr. Michael Erwin will officiate. Burial will be at St. Peter’s Cemetery in Beaver Dam.
Rita was born on December 6, 1919 in Beaver Dam, Wisconsin to the late Frank and Florence (Fuchs) Schingo. Rita attended St. Peter’s Catholic School, where at any early age, she enjoyed her time in the Dramatic Society; she graduated from Beaver Dam High School in 1936. On November 21, 1942, Rita was united in marriage with Byron Spangler in Beaver Dam. Together they operated the Spangler Apartments for many years before selling them in 1980. They also owned and operated Spangler Sales, Inc and then Spangler Honda Hut in downtown Beaver Dam. Rita was a charter member of the Beaver Dam Boat Club, past president of the St. Peter’s Christian Mothers, a former Girl Scout leader, she had been involved with the Beaver Dam Area Community Theater for many years, she was a driving force of the Third Street Band, and had been active in the Beaver Dam Senior Center. Rita had a wonderful wit and a great sense of humor that made her an absolute joy to be around. She had the unique ability to relate and speak with anyone without regard to generational bounds or interests in life. She always had a positive attitude, a sense of adventure, and was ever watchful for spontaneous ways to have fun and get together with others.
Survivors include her three children, Cynthia “Cindy” Spangler of Madison, Christine “Tina” (Charles) Swain of Beaver Dam, and Anthony “Tony” Spangler of Beaver Dam; three grandchildren, Charles (Jennifer) Swain of Jacksonville, FL, Seth Andrew (Angela) Swain of Fond du Lac, and Molly (Jon Hill) Swain of Fitchburg; six great grandchildren, Abbie and Charlie, Matthew and Mallory, Connor, and Lauren; other relatives and friends. Rita was preceded in death by her parents; her husband, Byron Knoll Spangler; an infant son John Paul in 1946; and two sisters, Carol Wegner and Delores Schroeder.
If desired, memorials may be made in Rita Spangler’s name to the Beaver Dam Area Community Theater, 219 N Spring Street in Beaver Dam or Beaver Dam Senior Center, 114 East Third Street in Beaver Dam.
The Koepsell-Murray Funeral Home in Beaver Dam is caring for the family. To leave online condolences, or for directions and other information, please visit our website at www.KoepsellFH.com
