Ethel Marie Spragg

Mom left this world in a rush of angels’ wings on Monday, November 6, 2017 at Neilson Place, Bemidji, Minnesota.  Ethel Marie Loeffler was born September 14, 1937 in Wilkinson, Minnesota to Frank Joseph and Eva Mae Stillwell Loeffler.  The family moved to Becida, Minnesota and they summered on the farm there and wintered in Clearwater, Florida.  In Becida, Marie met her lifelong sweetheart, Donald Spragg, and they attended Meadow View School through the eighth grade.  After graduation at age 13, Marie left home to work.  She waited on an unknown country singer named Johnny Cash working at her sister Dorothy’s café in Eveleth, Minnesota.  She found her niche as a chef and baker.

Don and Marie married August 14, 1954.  They made their home in Eveleth, Minnesota, then settled in Iron, Minnesota.  They had two children, Donald Jr. and Robin.  Marie was a chef at Sammy’s Café in Virginia, Minnesota, they co-founded St. James Lutheran Church, where Marie taught Sunday School, and were owner/operators of Don’s Conoco in Biwabik.  In 1972 the family moved to Benedict, Minnesota.  Marie became a cook at the Ah-Gwah-Ching State Nursing Home and while there, she went on to earn her GED and dietician’s license.  

After retirement, Marie and Don moved back to the Becida farm, then home to Don Jr., wife Shirley and grandsons Shane and Ethen.  Don passed away October 13, 2000.  Marie stayed at the farm until moving to Bemidji, Minnesota in 2017.

Marie was a faithful Christian and steadfast soul warrior; she loved, sustained and was devoted to her family.  She gave generously, had a nurturing heart, loved and was loved by many.  She was a tireless worker, expert cook and needlewoman, avid reader and crossword maven.  She loved to learn new things, read, quilt, garden, watch old movies, but mostly enjoy the company of those she loved, especially the little ones, for whom the cookie jar was always full.

She is preceded in death by her parents, siblings Dorothy, George, Lois and Frank.  She is survived by son Don (Shirley) Spragg, daughter Robin (Gary) Johnson, grandsons Shane (Lindsay) Spragg and Ethen Spragg, great-grandchildren Riley and Viviyan and numerous nieces and nephews.

Services will be held at 11:00 A.M. Friday, November 10, 2017 at Immanuel Lutheran Church, Cass Lake, Minnesota, Rev. James T. Sorensen officiating.  Visitation is one hour prior to the service at Immanuel Lutheran Church.  Interment will be in the Pine Grove Cemetery, Cass Lake Minnesota under the direction of Olson-Schwartz Funeral Home, Bemidji Minnesota.

Online guest book at www.olsonschwartzfueralhome.com

 Service Information