Freida Spaeth

Freida Spaeth, age 91, passed away Tuesday, August 28, 2012. She was born on March 16, 1921. She was the daughter of Norman and Mabel (Gilbert) Snider. She was married to Louis John Spaeth in 1938 at her parents home in Elkton. Over the years her heritage, she was told, included her grandmother being the first immigrant baby born in Huron County. Freida and Louis lived on their farm in Elkton, until they eventually moved to their new home in Caro, which Louis built. Freida lived a very active life as wife, mother, grandmother and gramma-great. Hobbies included water color and acrylic painting, decorating, crocheting, cross stitch, creating beautiful greeting cards, along with matting and framing her art work. She cherished Mother Earth and was always proud of LittleAcres, lawns and her many beautiful flower/vegetable gardens. She was a life member of Eastern Stars, member of the Caro United Methodist Church and recent member of Grandmothers of the Earth. Freida, and husband, Louis, were instrumental in 1958 in the formation of the Huron County Association for Retarded Children (HCARC) and opening the first school in Michigan for Retarded Children north of Detroit, in Kilmanagh, with nineteen students enrolled. Later, in 1960 a school in Bad Axe and in 1962 they formed a Tuscola parent group, (TCARC) and opened a third school in the Carpenter School building on VanGeisen Road. This truly was her life dream to help children with what is now known as children with special needs and developmental disabilities. In 1984 she retired from teaching at the Tuscola Intermediate School District, Highland Pines School. Freida is survived by three children, Penny & Duane Baker of Paw Paw, Linea & Lee Walkowski of Midland, and Darl Spaeth of Caro; seven grandchildren, Tim Walkowski of Kemah, Texas, Ted & Laurie Walkowski of Montpelier, Ohio, Cindy (Tony, deceased) York of Midland, Andy & Marianne Baker of Gobles, Amy Baker of Allegan, Ann Marie & Brian Brusach of Paw Paw. Gramma-Greats surviving sixteen grandchildren are Caleb, Evin, Wyatt, Dru, Chaz, Ciera, Emily, Christopher, Brendan, Adrian, Stefan, Holly, Heather, Carter, Katelyn and Matthew. Also surviving are many nieces and nephews. She was preceded in death by husband, Louis John Spaeth; granddaughter, Abby Susan Baker; great-grandson, Nicholas Robert Brusach; four brothers, Stanley Snider of Detroit, Lester Snider of Detroit, Elmer Snider of Wakefield and Chester Snider, infant, Elkton; and sister, Norma Dibb of Niland, California. Funeral services will be held at 1:30 p.m. on Saturday, September 1, 2012 at the Caro United Methodist Church with Rev. Gregg Mayberry officiating. Burial will follow at the Indianfields Township Cemetery in Caro. The family will receive friends at the Caro United Methodist Church on Saturday from 12:30 p.m. until the time of the service at 1:30 p.m.. Memorial contributions may be made to Autism Research, Brain Tumor Research, or the charity of the donors choice. Visitation Information Date: Saturday, September 1, 2012 Time: 12:30 pm End Time: 1:30 pm Caro United Methodist Church Address: 989-673-2246 | Map Service Information Date: Saturday, September 1, 2012 Time: 1:30 pm Caro United Methodist Church Address: 989-673-2246 | Map