Elizabeth "Betty" Catherine (Folz) Spahn

Elizabeth “Betty” Catherine Folz Spahn passed away peacefully on Monday, August 17, 2026, at the age of 96. Born on January 12, 1930, in Evansville, Indiana, Betty was the second of five children of Edward and Madeline Folz. She grew up on the west side of Evansville, graduating from Reitz Memorial High School in 1948. On December 1, 1951, she married the love of her life, Gilbert Adam Spahn, beginning a partnership that would span more than 70 years.

Betty and Gil built their life together across several states, beginning in Haubstadt, Indiana, continuing through Evansville; St. Joseph, Michigan; Rockford, Illinois; Harrodsburg, Kentucky; and ultimately back to Rockford. A devoted stay‑at‑home mother, Betty poured her energy into raising eight children: Cathy (Paul) Goethe, Terri (Dave) Grierson, Marie (John) Wallen, Gil (Jenny) Spahn, Jane (Eric) Benson, Greg (Laurel) Spahn, Steve (Karen) Spahn, and Linda (JW) Stolze.

Family was the center of Betty’s life and she mastered the art of motherhood. She is remembered for cooking wonderful meals, baking legendary apple pies and holiday fruitcakes, sewing clothing for her children (including wedding dresses), and tending to every scraped knee, fever, broken bone, and broken heart. She ran an organized household while volunteering with PTA groups, Brownies, Girl Scouts, and 4‑H Clubs. She also served as the communication hub for her extended family and fiercely advocated for her sister Edna’s right to die with dignity from Alzheimer’s disease, taking the case to the Wisconsin Supreme Court in the early 1990s. On the lighter side, she cherished hosting her annual German Mardi Gras “Fasching” celebrations, nurturing her plants and flowers, reading, writing, sewing, and traveling, including memorable trips to Germany, Italy, and Hawaii.

Betty’s life of service was not limited to caring for her immediate family. One of her most meaningful roles was serving as Director of Religious Education in Harrodsburg, where she and Gil were deeply involved in St. Andrew Catholic Church, helping create programs such as Marriage Encounter weekends and adult education classes. Before computers, she typed weekly church bulletins by hand, using the familiar purple mimeograph sheets.

Empathetic, welcoming, and quietly strong, Betty stood up for what she believed in and lived a life defined by service, devotion, and joy. Her kindness touched generations and the memory of her life and her love continues to inspire all who knew her.

Betty is preceded in death by her beloved husband, Gil; her son‑in‑law, Paul Goethe; her sister Edna; and her brother Robert. She leaves behind eight children, seventeen grandchildren, and sixteen great‑grandchildren, all of whom carry forward her legacy of compassion, faith, humor, and steadfast love.

A Funeral Mass will be held at 10:00 a.m. on October 17, 2026, at St. James Catholic Church in Rockford, Illinois, followed by a procession to Calvary Cemetery. A celebration of life will be held in the parish hall at 12:30 p.m.

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