Lucille Spaulding

Lucille Spaulding

Aug. 10, 1912 - Aug. 18, 2013

BENKELMAN, Nebraska -- Lucille Josephine (Schutte) Spaulding was born Aug. 10, 1912, in St. Stephens, Nebraska, to Herman and Maria (Grabenschroer) Schutte.

Lucille grew up and attended grade school in Indianola, Nebraska.

On Oct. 8, 1929, Lucille married Joseph Milo Spaulding at St. Catherine's Catholic Church in Indianola. The couple settled in Indianola where Milo worked at Spaulding Grocery and Lucille worked at the Spaulding Café. The couple also lived in McCook and Bartley, Nebraska, before moving to Benkelman, in 1936. Lucille cleaned homes and took in ironing before she started to waitress at Knoles Café and later at Carpenter's Café.

Lucille was a member of St. Joseph's Catholic Church and the Altar Society for approximately 78 years. She loved to play any kind of cards and hated to lose. Lucille was a good seamstress and made linen cut-out tablecloths. She was an excellent cook. Lucille bowled for years and she kept score for league and tournament play. She loved shoes and the taller the heels, the better!

Lucille passed away Sunday, Aug. 18, 2013, at the Sarah Ann Hester Home in Benkelman, Nebraska. She was 101 years of age.

 Lucille was preceded in death by her parents; husband, Milo in 1986; two brothers and eight sisters; sons-in-law, Dale Blecha in 1997 and Donald Kennedy in 2013.

 Survivors include daughters, Jean Blecha of Benkelman and Jackie Kennedy of Wauneta, Nebraska; eight grandchildren; 23 great-grandchildren and 31 great-great-grandchildren.

A Rosary was recited Tuesday evening, Aug. 20, 2013, 7 p.m.. MT at St. Joseph's Catholic Church in Benkelman with Fr. Tom Wedel officiating.

A Funeral Mass was Wednesday morning, Aug. 21, 2013, 10 a.m. MT at St. Joseph's Catholic Church in Benkelman with Fr. Tom Wedel celebrating.

Interment followed at the Benkelman Cemetery at Benkelman, Nebraska.

Forch Funeral Chapel was in charge of arrangements.