Orena Marie Spatz

Orena Marie (Maag) Spatz, age 94, passed away January 21, 2020 at Mankato Long Term Care.

Orena was born to Clarence and Erma (Lansden) Maag on November 24, 1925 at Otego, Kansas. She was blessed with one younger sister, Maxine Bowman of Lebanon, KS. She grew up in the Ionia area and graduated from Esbon High School in 1944.

On December 23, 1946 she was married to Duane Arthur Spatz. During their marriage they lived in towns of Jewell, Mankato, and finally making their home in Burr Oak. Duane and her started the Wagon Wheel Square Dance Club and were members of the Sam’s Camping Club. They loved going fishing together and camping. To this marriage, 3 children were blessed: Dennis, Bob and Pat. Duane passed away in July of 1989. Years later Frosty Clegg became her friend and partner and stood by her through all the sickness till the end.

Orena worked in many businesses in the Burr Oak and Mankato towns. You might have seen her waiting tables, sacking groceries, driving a mail truck or looking up information at the Register of Deeds office in the Jewell County Court House. She was mean tractor driver and cow herder in her time also! She had many hobbies, loved to fish, bowl, canvas stitchery and crocheting. She was known for making many dollies and angels for her family and friends.

Her family was always her life. She kept score for many baseball games, sponsored many high school after game dances, and sat behind home base at softball games yelling “Strike em out!”

In 1973 her son Bob was killed in an accident at DeBuque Packing Plant, leaving a big void in her heart. Her Grandkids were her life line. She enjoyed every minute she had with them. When they would leave she would already be asking “When are you coming back?”

Orena is survived by her children Dennis Spatz (Donna), Cheyenne, WY; Patricia Boyles (Doug), Superior, NE; sister, Maxine Bowman, Salina, KS; Grandkids, Evan Boyles, Kearney, NE, Tammy Heeren (Chris), Westminster, CO, Bruce Spatz (Tammy), Mt Airy, MD, Deidra Hamilton (Tim), Las Vegas, NV; Great-grandchildren, Rachael and Logan Heeren, Macy and Addison Spatz, Blake Vrbas, April and Charlie Teoh, and many other family and friends

She was preceded in death by her husband, Duane; parents, Clarence and Erma Maag; Son, Bob Spatz.

Funeral Services will be held at 11:00 a.m., Saturday, January 25, 2020 at Melby Mortuary with Matt Ehlers officiating with a private family Interment Visitation will be held one hour prior to service at the Melby Mortuary.

Memorials are suggested to the Burr Oak Community Center in care of the funeral home. Condolences may be left online at www.melbymortuary.com. Melby Mortuary in Mankato is in charge of arrangements.