Rita F. Spangler, 95, a lifelong Beaver Dam, Wisc. resident, died Thursday, March 19, 2015 at Hillside Manor in Beaver Dam.
She spent the past 30 winters in the Gulf Shores/Orange Beach area and treasured the many friends she met there.
Rita was born Dec. 6, 1919 in Beaver Dam 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 Nov. 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, Fla., 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; and 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.
Visitation for Rita will be at the Koepsell-Murray Funeral Home on Friday, March 27, 2015, from 4 to 6:30 p.m., where a short prayer and a time to remember Rita will be held at 6:30.
On Saturday, March 28, 2015, there will be visitation at the funeral home from 9:30 to 10:20 a.m. with a closing service at 10:30.
Mass of Christian Burial will follow at St. Katharine Drexel Church at 11.
Burial will be at St. Peter’s Cemetery in Beaver Dam.
If desired, memorials may be made in Rita Spangler’s name to the Beaver Dam Area Community Theater, 219 N. Spring St. in Beaver Dam, or Beaver Dam Senior Center, 114 E. Third St.
Arrangements by Koepsell-Murray Funeral Home, Beaver Dam, Wisc.
