JACQUELINE K. SPYCHALLA

Jacqueline K. “Jackie” Spychalla, 67 of Devils Lake ND passed away on Friday, December 3, 2021, at CHI, St. Alexius Health, Devils Lake Hospital.

Funeral Services for Jackie will be held on Friday, December 10, 2021, at 2:00 p.m. at St. Peter’s Lutheran Church, Devils Lake with Reverend Michael Suelzle officiating. Burial will be in the Devils Lake Cemetery. Visitation will be on Friday from 9:00 a.m. until 12:00 noon at Gilbertson Funeral Home, Devils Lake.

Jacqueline Kay, daughter of John Hoeltl and Betty (Hager) Abercrombie was born on June 8, 1954, in Cando ND.  She grew up in the Cando area and was educated in Cando and Fargo ND.  After completing her education, she began working in the Dietary Department of the Good Samaritan Care Center in Devils Lake. 

One day as she was biking to work, she almost ran over James Detert who was on his way to lunch.  This “accidental” meeting would eventually lead to marriage on October 25, 1974 and the blessing of 4 children, Jennifer, Lisa, Ben, and Mark. They established their home in Devils Lake where they lived, worked and raised their family. 

After several years at the Good Samaritan, Jackie began employment at the Lake Region Lutheran Home in Dietary.  In 1996 she retired from the more physical labor due to increasing health issues. She then volunteered as a Foster Grandparent and Grandma at the Heartland Day Care Center and now and for the past 4 years has worked with Green Works, now known as the National Council on Aging. 

Jackie found love again and was united in marriage to Dennis Spychalla on May 20, 2005. They only had 5 years together, but they were filled with love and happiness.  Dennis died on September 21, 2010. 

Jackie had her struggles in life and her joys in life.  She loved her children and grandchildren with all her heart.  They were her pride and joy, her earthly treasures.  She loved her Lord, and believed in His promises.  She loved her friends, especially those she met at BINGO, her favorite pastime.  She had a caring heart; caring for Dennis during his final illness, caring for the residents at the Good Samaritan and the Lutheran Home, caring for the little ones at Day Care and for the aging at Green Works.

Jackie was a member of St. Peter’s Lutheran Church and actively served in the LWML (Lutheran Women’s Missionary League) for many years. 

Jackie’s loving family include her children Jennifer (Kurt) Stavem, Jamestown ND, Lisa (Shane) Downing, Marysville WA, Ben (Chelce) Detert, Minot ND and Mark (Rebeka) Detert also of Minot; grandchildren Ben and Allan Stavem, Emily and Ethan Downing, Chloe Nelson, Elizabeth and Jacob Detert; sisters and brothers Patty Johnson and Richard Hoeltl both of Devils Lake, Rita (David) Calderon, Portland TX and Harry Dale Abercrombie, Fargo ND; many nieces, nephews and their families.

She was preceded in death by her parents, step-father Harry Abercrombie, husbands James and Dennis, grandsons Christian and Charles Stavem, brother Greg Hoeltl and brother-in-law Ron Johnson.