Anne Spreitzer

Died Sunday, July 3, 2011. Anne M. Madigan was born in Detroit, Michigan, on June 15, 1920, to Charles and Grace (Lazotte) Madigan. She was the eldest daughter, and 3rd of their 9 children. She graduated from Wayne High School in 1938, and attended Wayne State University, Eastern Michigan University, and Western Michigan University, obtaining her teaching certification in 1941. In that same year, she met the love of her life, Joseph V. Spreitzer, whom she married on November 3, 1945, following four years of his service in the US Navy during WWII, and her first four years of teaching in the Detroit Area. In 1946, they moved to Allegan, Michigan, so that Joe could continue his familial occupation, farming. The first of their 9 children was born in 1947, the last in 1963. Anne continued to teach, while raising her children, and completing her own Bachelor of Science in Education from WMU in 1965. Anne and Joe moved to the city of Allegan during his 20-year tenure as Postmaster. Following her retirement from Allegan Public Schools, and his retirement from the Post Office, they moved to Florida, where they enjoyed each other's company for 15 years. Anne was a champion of social and economic equality. Her association memberships included Southern Poverty Law Center's Teaching Tolerance; The Democratic Party; the NAACP; United Negro College Fund; League of Women Voters, Berea, Kentucky Appalachian Arts Center; St. Joseph Native American Indian School; St. Labre Indian School, Blessed Sacrament Altar Society and the Allegan Women's History Club. She and Joe were members of Blessed Sacrament Church since 1943.She was predeceased by her parents; brothers, Charles, James, Robert, Norman, and Daniel; sisters, Mary Grace and Marie, her grandson, Jason; and her beloved husband, Joe. She is survived by children, Mary Spreitzer and Denny Brower, Margaret Spreitzer and Al Chudek, Karl and Connie Spreitzer, Jim and Kathy Spreitzer, Fritz and Linda Spreitzer, Matt and Denise Spreitzer, Lily Teed, Marisa McNeely, Ron Stull, and Peter and Lori Spreitzer, twenty-six grandchildren and sixteen great grandchildren; sister, Rosemary Madigan Ulmer;sisters-in-law, Paula Madigan and Jeanette Madigan Johnson; brothers-in-law, Herb Wegener; Mathew (Jack) and Helen Spreitzer; and Donald and Janice Spreitzer.Friends may visit with the family from 4:00 to 8:00 PM on Wednesday at the Gorden Funeral Residence, Allegan Chapel. A rosary service will be held at the funeral home at 6:00 PM on Wednesday. Funeral mass will take place at 11:00 AM on Thursday at Blessed Sacrament Catholic Church, 433 Trowbridge St. Rev. Fr. Alan P. Jorgensen will officiate with burial in Oakwood Cemetery. Memorials may be made to Wings of Hope Hospice.