MADISON - John W. Spaeni, age 88, passed away at home with family by his side on Wednesday, May 22, 2024. He was born Jan. 16, 1936, to John “Jack” and Eleanor (Doerschlag) Spaeni in Madison, Wis. On July 30, 1955, he married Nancy Riley in Madison.

John graduated from Madison East High School, class of 1954, where he participated in A Cappella Choir, theatre, cheerleaders' club and was elected Senior Class President. He treasured all of his close friendships with classmates, many of them lasting through his lifetime.

John joined the U.S. Air Force Reserve and was activated during the Berlin Crisis of 1961. While in the Air Force Reserve he also learned court reporting, a skill he used throughout his career which began in 1963 working for the State of Wisconsin Employee Relations Commission. There he developed many valued friendships that continued throughout his life and he always looked forward to spending weekly afternoons with the Magnificent 7 for a brutal game of Dominoes.

John was a lifetime member of the Madison Elks Lodge No. 410 where he regularly socialized with close friends and many other acquaintances. He was a member of Bethel Lutheran Church. He joined the Madison Area Volkssport Association the Dairyland Walkers' and completed walks in all 50 states. Creating stained glass art was a favorite pastime and he made beautiful lampshades, window pieces and many other items for family and friends. Another favorite pastime was spending sunny days boating the Madison area lakes and even venturing across Lake Michigan with his best friends. John especially liked traveling in his motorhome, exploring state and national parks and he always looked forward to yearly winter vacations in Florida with friends. He also loved traveling the world to visit Lake Louise/Banff, Dominican Republic, Aruba (High School Reunion cruise), Cabo San Lucas, Germany, Switzerland, Austria, Liechtenstein, Tuscany Italy, Indonesia, Singapore and Disney World.

He was a wonderful dancer. He and Nancy were a joy to watch and were often the last to leave the dance floor. John was a good vocalist and was honored to be asked to sing at many weddings over the years. He and his brothers and sisters could harmonize and sing beautiful renditions of Holiday music which all of the family looked forward to. He was even known to play guitar and sing around the campfire.

John cherished family and loved spending as much time as possible with his children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren. We will truly miss his sense of humor and his genuinely kind, considerate and loving presence.

Survivors include his wife of 68 ½ years, Nancy Spaeni; three children, Kari-Sue (Spaeni) Beetham, Steven John (Monica) Spaeni and Sally Jo Spaeni; nine grandchildren, Graham Beetham, Blake (Kelsey Kuhl) Beetham, Sarah (Greg) Weir, Molly (Alex Voss) Spaeni Voss, Yazan Kamal, Nader Kamal, Andrew (Mari Wipfli) Mack, Alison (Cory Jobst) Mack and Kirsten (Ben) Ace; 13 great-grandchildren, Theodore (Teddy) Beetham, Genevieve Beetham, Nolan Weir, Riley Weir, Caden Mack, Kyler Mack, Brooklynn Mack, Olivia Jobst, Aleah Ace, Jack Ace, Hudson Ace, Benny Ace and Mason Ace; sister, Sandra (Spaeni) Vandall; brother, Tim (Diana) Spaeni; sister-in-law, Katherine Skaife; and nieces and nephews, Michael (Cassie) Frazier, Pam (Tom) Dudley, Jeff (Cheryl), Jon (Adrienne), Jamie (Christy) and Rusty (Jennifer) Vandall, Dena (Chris) Fjelstad and Angi (Jeff) Larson.

He was preceded in death by his parents, John “Jack” and Eleanor (Doerschlag) Spaeni; sister, Darlene (Spaeni) Frazier; brother, Ted Spaeni; sister-in-law, Carol Peters; brother-in-law, Vic Keith Riley; brother-in-law, Al Frazier; brother-in-law, Clinton Vandall; niece, Mary Kay Frazier; nephew, Jeffrey Spaeni; nephew, Greg Spaeni; and former son-in-law, Brian Mack.

A memorial service will be held at Gunderson East Funeral and Cremation Care, 5203 Monona Drive, Madison, at 3:30 p.m. on Tuesday, June 4, 2024, with Pastor Pam Gillingham presiding. Visitation will be held at the funeral home from 12 noon until the time of the service.

The family would like to thank the Agrace HospiceCare nurses who so effectively helped us through this difficult time. Special thanks to Dr. Rahko of the UW Clinical Cardiomyopathy Clinic who successfully treated John’s cardiomyopathy over the past 30 years.

Memorials may be made in his name to Madison Elks Lodge No. 410, 711 Jenifer St., Madison, WI 53703, or Agrace HospiceCare (agrace.org/donate). Online condolences may be made at www.gundersonfh.com.

Gunderson East

Funeral & Cremation Care

5203 Monona Drive

(608) 221-5420

John W. Spaeni

January 16, 1936 - May 22, 2024

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