GERALD F. SPAETH

Gerald F. Spaeth, 75 of Devils Lake formerly of Perth, ND passed away on Wednesday, July 16, 2014 at his home in the loving care of his family. A special thank you to the nurses from Altru Hospice of Devils Lake, Peggy, Maria, Ashley, Amy and Farrah for their wonderful, compassionate care of Gerald and also thank you to Fr. Wilhelm for his many visits to our home. Mass of the Resurrection will be held on Monday, July 21, 2014 at 10:00 a.m. at St. Joseph Catholic Church, Devils Lake with Fr. C.F. Wilhelm celebrating the Mass. Burial will be in St. Joseph’s Catholic Cemetery. Visitation will be held at St. Joseph Catholic Church on Sunday from 2:00 p.m. until 4:00 p.m. with a Rosary and Scripture Service at 4:00 p.m. The Knights of Columbus will lead the Rosary. Visitation on Monday will be at the church one hour prior to the funeral Mass. Gerald Fredrick, son of Peter M. and Frances M. (Doehler) Spaeth was born on June 27, 1939 at Rolette, ND. He was raised on the family farm, rural Perth, ND and was educated at Perth Public School. He then began working for Houtcooper Implement in Cando, ND delivering farm machinery. He also worked as a farm laborer for Wilfred Halone for a couple years. In 1961, Gerald moved to Devils Lake and began a 44 ½ year career with the North Dakota Department of Transportation working on the road construction crew. He was stationed with the Devils Lake District but worked on many road projects throughout the state through the years. He retired on September 30, 2004. Gerald was united in marriage to his beloved Janet Schaefer on March 26, 1966 at Bisbee, ND. They established their home in Devils Lake, living, working and raising their three children. Gerald loved the outdoors and enjoyed fishing and hunting. The deer hunt was always a planned family and friend event and took months to complete as the season was from procuring the deer, to processing, to the making of sausage, to freezer to sharing his creations at the table with family and friends. He also enjoyed word find puzzles, playing pinochle, watching the outdoor channels on TV and was a collector of vintage replica cars. Gerald was a member of St. Joseph Church, was a life member of Knights of Columbus and also enjoyed membership in the Eagles and Elks Lodges. Gerald is survived by his loving family. His wife, Janet; daughters Debbie and her husband Tracy Oakland, Norfolk, NE, Diane Spaeth, Fargo, ND and son Darren Spaeth and his wife Andria, Grand Forks; grandchildren Dustin and Chelsi Oakland, Mason Spaeth and step grandchildren Nathan and Matthew Rongitsch; sisters Lorraine Starr and Delores Galow both of Bisbee; in-laws Betty Spaeth, Jacksonville, NC, Vivian Acuff, Fargo and Kenneth and Jan Schaefer, Bothell, WA; many nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by his parents; brother Leo Spaeth and infant siblings Leonard and Mary.