Frieda Sponemann
Frieda Alberta (nee Gaultney) Sponemann, age 93 of Collinsville, born January 19, 1927 in Troy, went to meet her heavenly father on Saturday, December 26, 2020 at her residence.
Frieda was baptized and married at St. Paul’s Lutheran Church in Troy to her late husband, Wilbur Sponemann. After she married, she moved to Collinsville and was a lifelong member of Holy Cross Lutheran Church.
Frieda will be remembered by her joy and laughter, as it was in abundance, when she was in attendance.
She graduated from McCray Dewey High School in Troy, IL in 1944, where she was a cheerleader, drum majorette, and played the “big tuba.” The High
School class reunions were a great joy for Frieda and she continued to work on the committee until the last one held in 2017.
She began her career at the Army Depot in Granite City from 1944 to 1947.
During this time she was also a partner with her husband running the Sponemann Farm. Frieda became known as the “pepper lady” to all of her customers who would travel from all over St. Clair and Madison Counties to purchase produce that was grown on the family farm.
Frieda returned to work and retired in 1994 from the AVSCOM (United States
Army Aviation Systems Command), Helicopter Division, where she worked as a supply technician obtaining helicopter parts at Aviation Aircraft Systems Headquarters.
Frieda was a lifelong member of the Madison County Farm Bureau. Frieda was an excellent seamstress. In 1968 she was one of the top winners of nine counties of the “Make It Yourself With Wool” contest held in Belleville, which was sponsored by the American Wool Council of Denver, CO. She had been a member of the Fairview Heights, IL Rotary International Club, a lifelong Madison County Democratic Election Judge, and completed the Collinsville Police Department Citizens’ Academy four times.
Frieda loved to travel with her husband, Wilbur, to Germany, Canada, Hawaii, Alaska & many other states; her church group lead by Rev. Dr. Dale Meyer to Egypt, and many friends & relatives including a trip to Ireland, Mexico, Belize & New York. Frieda & Wilbur also enjoyed a home at the Lake of the Ozarks for more than 20 years and collecting antiques.
She was preceded in death by her late husband of over 60 years, Wilbur Sponemann, whom she married on May 20, 1945; her parents, Walter Ellis Sr. and Gladys (nee Island) Gaultney; her in-laws, C.W.E. and Mary (nee Weseman) Sponemann; three siblings, Betty Wilke, Walter “Bud” Gaultney II, and Irene Kohl; and two brothers-in-law, Arthur Wilke and Norman Niebruegge.
Surviving are her four children: Curtis Sponemann; Mrs. Susan (Greg) Perkins, Mrs. Mary (Jeff) McDevitt and Mrs. Peggy (Kevin) Frederking; grandchildren: Mrs. Abby (Chris) Green, Mr. Chad (Nikki) Perkins, Mrs. Erin (Greg) Rodgers, Mr. Alex McDevitt and Mr. Riley Frederking; six great-grandchildren: Logan & Kaidynn Green, Zackery & Taylor Perkins, Gigi & Demi Rodgers; four siblings: Virginia Niebruegge, Kenneth Gaultney, Francis (William) Kohl, and Phyllis (Phil) Weatherspoon; a sister-in-law, Lillian Gaultney; cherished family by marriage, Mr. Stephen (Jennifer) Perkins; and special friend, Eileen Welle.
Visitation will be 11 am to 1 p.m. on Thursday, December 31, 2020 at Holy Cross Lutheran Church, 304 South Street, Collinsville. Masks must be worn.
Funeral service will be at 1pm following the visitation with Rev. Kyle Wright officiating. Burial will be in Holy Cross Lutheran Cemetery, Collinsville.
A Celebration of Life with a luncheon will be held at a later date. Memorials may be made in Frieda’s honor to Holy Cross Lutheran Church or School and will be received at the visitation or can be mailed to the funeral home at 2800 N. Center Street, Maryville, IL 62062.
Condolences may be expressed to the family at barrywilsonfuneralhome.com
