Walter Blaine Spies

SERVIES HAVE BEEN POSTPONED UNTIL 10:30 THURSDAY AT ST. ANTHONY CHURCH. VISITATION IS 4:00-8:00 PM WEDNESDAY WITH A 7:00 PM VIGIL SERVICE AT MCKOWN FUNERAL HOME. VISITATION CONTINUES THURSDAY MORNING FROM 8:00-10:00 AM ALSO AT THE FUNERAL HOME.

Walter died Saturday, December 5, 2009.

Walter Blaine Spies was born November 3, 1928 in Genoa, Nebraska to Blaine and Stella (Wruble) Spies. He graduated from Genoa High School in 1946 and moved to Columbus in 1948. On May 2, 1950 Walter was united in marriage to Dorothy Niedbalski at St. Anthony Catholic Church in Columbus. Walt worked as a route salesman for Omar Bread and also as an International Harvester mechanic for Ewert Brothers. He owned and operated Walt's Apco Service from 1968 - 1976 and then worked as a Star Route Mail Carrier until his retirement in 1996. Walt was a member of St. Anthony Church where he served funeral masses, ushered and volunteered at the St. Anthony Bazaar and the Polish Festival. He belonged to the Holy Name Society where he served as secretary, Knights of Columbus and the Star Route Mail carriers Association. Walt enjoyed polka music, dancing and tending his horses.

He is survived by:

Wife: Dorothy Spies of Columbus, NE
Daughter: Rita Bohnenkamp of Cheyenne, WY
Daughter: Diana (Larry) Soulliere of Platte Center, NE
Daughter: Valerie Spies of Columbus, NE
Son: Dominic (Nenita) Spies of Columbus, NE
Son: Frederic (Katrina) Spies of Columbus, NE
Daughter: Geralyn Gallagher of Santa Monica, CA
Son: Michael (Dorene) Spies of Grand Island, NE
Daughter: Julie (Michael) Minturn of Washougal, WA
Sister: Gertrude Czapla of Spokane, WA
Eleven Grandchildren
Six Great Grandchildren
Many Nieces and Nephews

He was preceded in death by:

Father: Blaine Spies
Mother: Stella Spies
Sister: Victoria (Bill) Czapla
Brother-in-law: Marcel Czapla