Mrs. Charles Spiering passed away at her home in this city at 1:12 a.m. on March 9, 1945, following many years of suffering and a serious illness during the last month of her life. She would have been 80 years of age in October. Mr. Spiering preceded her in death February 1, 1943. Her son, William, had always remained at home and had been with her constantly. Her children who live here spent as much time as possible with her and her daughter, Mrs. Herbert Betz, off Dallas, was with her from Tuesday until Friday
Funeral services were held Monday afternoon, with a prayer at the Ness chapel and a service at 2 p.m. at the Lutheran church in this city, Rev. Raymond P. Huss officiating. The song service was given by Mrs. M. H. Moen, with Mrs. Esther Peterson as accompanist. Pallbearers were six sons, William, Albert, Fred, Gus, John and Edward, who had also officiated as pallbearers at the funeral of their father. Doris and Loretta Spiering were flow girls. Interment was made in the family lot in Riverside.
Elizabeth (Betsy) DeLand, daughter of Elias and Fredericka Hoffman Bernard Deland, was born October 12, 1865, in the town of Grover, Marinette county.
She was one of the relatively few survivors of the Peshtigo forest fire in 1874, which took a toll of many lives and much property. She was nine years of age at the time but her terrible experience during that fire remained a vivid memory throughout her long life.
She was married June 18, 1882, in Marinette county, to Charles Karl Spiering, by Rev. Pfeiffer. They lived in the town of Little Run, Oconto county, near Peshtigo, for many years and all of their 11 children were born there. They cleared the land and developed their home farm in that section, and were members of the German Lutheran church there. Mr. Spiering was a lay member of the town of Grover and helped build the new brick church there. They bought the Slosser farm in Squaw Creek and moved thre in 1914 and lived there until they moved to this city to make their home in 1920.
Mrs. Spiering is survived and mourned b her 11 children, three daughters and eight sons. All were here for her funeral except one son, Herman, of Brillion, Manitowoc county, whose health did not permit him to attend. Her daughters are Marie, Mrs. Sebert Olson, and Elsie, Mrs. Wilbur Laib, of B. R. Falls; and Minnie, Mrs. Herbert Betz, of Dallas. Her sons are Herman, of Brillion; William, at home; Albert, Three Lakes; Fred, Three Rivers; John, of Shawano; Charles, Bremerton, Wash.; Ed, Manitowoc; and Gus, of this city. She also leaves one sister, Mrs. Nettie Dunton, Oconto. She leaves 36 grandchildren and 15 great-grandchildren.
She is one of the few old time mothers, who were pioneers and built their homes and reared their families under difficult conditions, and lived to see their families grow to man and womanhood and enjoy their grandchildren and great-grandchildren.