Obituary: Gilbert Spude

Feb. 25, 1940 – Jan. 21, 2020

Gilbert Ernest Spude, 79, of Luxemburg died at his home. He was born in Nasewaupee to Louis and Martha (Grovogel) Spude. 

Gilbert graduated from Brussels High School, and on Nov. 11, 1961, he married Diane Marie Engebose at St. Francis Church in Duvall.

For many years, Gilbert worked as a mason, owning and operating a masonry business with his brother, Eugene. 

In his retirement, he worked the family farm and continued to help others with mason work. Gilbert loved snow plowing and mowing lawns. He also liked to play cribbage with family and friends, do puzzles, watch birds, “raid” gardens and dance in his earlier years. He enjoyed spending time with his family, especially his grandchildren.

Gilbert is survived by his wife; six children, Tammy (Mark) LeBotte, Algoma, Tim (Mary) Spude, Denmark, Gerry (Lisa) Spude, Luxemburg, Joe (Marci) Spude, Brussels, Julie Thiry (Tom), Brussels, Jennifer (Charles) Karsten, Brussels; daughter-in-law, Jane (Matt) Anderson; 32 grandchildren; 22 great-grandchildren; two sisters, Regina Simon and Janet Bouche; two brothers, Albert Spude and Donald (Angela) Spude; in-laws, Milton and Sharon Engebose, Patsy and Lloyd Everard, Nancy Hawkins, Brenda and Kiko Torres; and nieces and nephews. 

He was preceded in death by his parents; stepparents, Harry and Blanche Jeanquart; son Todd; grandson Spencer Spude; great-grandson Levi Spude; brothers; sisters; and in-laws.

Visitation will be Friday, Jan. 24, 3-6:30 pm, at the Forbes Funeral Home in Sturgeon Bay, with a prayer service at 6:30 pm. Visitation will continue at St. Francis and St. Mary Parish in Brussels on Saturday, Jan. 25, from 9 am until the time of the mass at 10:30 am. Entombment will be in the Shrine of the Good Shepherd Mausoleum.   

In lieu of flowers, a memorial fund has been established. Online condolences can be offered at forbesfuneralhome.com.

Special thanks to all of Gilbert’s health-care professionals, Father Edward Looney, family and friends who provided such wonderful care and support throughout the years.