Marie "Mickey" Felderhoff Spaeth

Marie Christine Theresia Felderhoff Spaeth passed away on Tuesday October 12, 2021, at the age of 97 in her home in Gainesville.  A rosary and vigil followed by visitation will be held from 6:00 to 8:00 PM on Sunday October 17, at Geo. J. Carroll & Son Funeral Home.  Mass of Christian Burial will be at 10:30 on Monday, October 18, at St. Mary’s Catholic Church with Fr. John Pacheco officiating and Fr. Kyle Walterscheid concelebrating.  Burial will follow at St. Peter’s Cemetery in Lindsay.  Pallbearers are grandsons:  George Spaeth, Michael Henry, John Spaeth, Brian Henry, Jason Henry, and Collin Clark.  Honorary pallbearers are great-grandchildren and also loving caregivers Anel Liberto and Beverly Barber.

Mickey is survived by her son David, and daughter-in-law LouAnn Spaeth; daughter Patsy, and son-in-law Eddy Henry.  Grandchildren include:  George and wife Bernice Spaeth, Brenda and husband Jason Clark, Michael and wife Lesley Henry, John and wife Michelle Spaeth, Kimberly Henry, Brian and wife Sarah Henry, and Jason and wife Jamie Henry.  Great-grandchildren include:  Sara Clark, Collin Clark, Geordan Spaeth, Clayton Spaeth, Matthew Spaeth, Austin Spaeth, Emma Clark, Simon Clark, Weston Henry, Hailey Henry, Anna Clark, Lillian Clark, Jessie Henry, and Jenny Henry.  She is also survived by beloved caregivers, Anel Liberto and Beverly Barber, as well as many friends and extended family.  She was preceded in death by her husband Henry Spaeth; parents Hubert and Marie Felderhoff; brothers and sisters-in-law Norbert and Marge Felderhoff, August “Gussie” and Loretta Felderhoff, Tommy and Barbara Felderhoff; and sisters and brothers-in-law Louise and Ed Knauf, and Della Rose and Henry Voth.

Marie “Mickey” Spaeth was born on April 8, 1924, the third of six children, to Hubert and Marie Dangelmayer Felderhoff.  They were raised in Muenster.

Mickey attended school at Sacred Heart Catholic School and was a member of the class of 1943, the third graduating high school class of Sacred Heart.  It was at Sacred Heart that she learned to play the violin and slide trombone.  On August 26, 1947, Mickey married Henry Spaeth of Lindsay.  In 1950, the couple moved to their family homeplace south of Gainesville and in 1963 Mickey and Henry built their home on the hill where they raised their two children, David and Patsy.

Due to her parents being firm believers in Catholic education, Henry and Mickey enrolled their children in St. Mary’s Catholic School in 1955, and she has been involved with the school since.  In 1958, Mickey was given the opportunity by the School Sisters of Notre Dame to teach the half-day Kindergarten class of St. Mary’s.  After her acceptance, she taught for 22 years until her retirement in 1980. However, her retirement did not stop her from contributing to the school, as she became a school volunteer.  Often, one could find Mickey grading papers, helping in the classrooms, or at the front table at the school’s annual fall festival selling raffle tickets.  Mickey was also known for making delicious cinnamon rolls for each Knights of Columbus breakfast, making hand-made quilts for the fall festival, and washing the purificators each week for St. Mary’s Catholic Church.

When she was not volunteering at the school, Mickey could be found in her Pink Lady’s uniform twice a week volunteering at the North Texas Medical Center.  Since 1989, Mickey had volunteered in the admitting office and the gift shop.  She would also crochet caps for the newborns, create stuffed animals for the children in the hospital, as well as design and create the wreaths for the new mothers that were sold in the gift shop.  In all, Mickey served almost 10,000 hours of service at the hospital.

Mickey had a servant’s heart, and in recognition, she received the Presidential Service Award for Community Volunteerism from President George W. Bush in 2007.  In 2011, She was among 19 honorees at the 24th Annual Celebration of Catholic Schools as she was named by St. Mary’s as Honoree of the Year.  She was awarded the Diocese of Fort Worth Outstanding Service Award by Bishop Kevin Vann.  Mickey was also recognized by the Retired and Senior Volunteer Program Association for her continued service at the hospital and in the community.

In addition to volunteering, Mickey’s talents could be witnessed throughout the community.  If there was a wedding, more than likely there was a Mickey Spaeth homemade angel food wedding cake.  In all, she had baked well over 1,500 birthday and wedding cakes.  Moreover, Mickey was also an outstanding seamstress and hand sewn quilter as she had created many prom and bridesmaid dresses and numerous quilts for her children, grandchildren, and community.  Mickey was also a well-seasoned traveler as she and Henry had made trips to Europe, Russia, India, and across the U.S., and in 1979 the couple was named Goodwill Ambassadors for the United States.

Mickey was a true example of living life walking with Christ.  As we have to learn to live life without her, we will always carry her in our hearts.  Although she left us, we still feel her presence as we look around and see her in what meant most to her:  her family and grandchildren gathering around the kitchen table, the stained glass window in Subiaco Abbey, the statue of St. Mary above St. Mary’s Catholic School, the statue in the Lindsay Cemetery, or something as simple as enjoying her favorite - a slice of chocolate meringue pie.

The family would like to thank her beloved neighbors and friends for their visits, encouragement, and prayers, as well as the wonderful care and compassion her caregivers gave to her.  She will be deeply missed by all who knew her.