Gretchen Louise Spangberg
Gretchen Louise Spangberg, 83, a resident of Eagle, passed away October 23, 2024, in Boise.
Gretchen was born December 11, 1940 in Columbus Ohio, to Yula (Zell) Hax and Reverend Theodore B. Hax.
Gretchen was the adored middle child to older brother Fritz Hax, and later younger brother Ted Hax. They moved to Los Angeles in 1948, where Gretchen lived in California for the next 71 years before moving to Boise, ID in 2019, where she lived until her death.
She graduated from Pacific Lutheran University in 1963, in Tacoma Washington, with a Teaching Degree and minor in Biology. She was always singing and playing the piano, and the joy of her college years was performing in the PLU Choir of the West. One highlight was a summer concert tour in Norway and Europe, which became the first of her many vacation trips traveling the world.
After graduating from PLU, Gretchen taught in the 4th grade at Laurel Hall, associated with Immanuel Lutheran Church, in North Hollywood, CA for 5 years. She made lifelong friends with her students and their families during her time teaching.
She married John Spangberg in 1969, and became mom to his 2 young children: Caroline 8 years old, and Johnny 6 years old. She became mom again with Ted in 1970, and Tim in 1973, and their family was now complete. After the wedding, the family moved to San Jose, CA where she raised her family.
Her love of singing and performing led her to the small choral group The Sounds of Joy of Ben Lomond, CA, where she made lifelong friends and cherished memories. Some years later she joined Schola Cantorum of Palo Alto, CA. She often played piano and sang in Convalescent homes, Retirement Communities, her Sunday School classes, and continually at home where she instilled her love of music to Ted and Tim.
Her passions included The Bible and the study of God’s Word, singing and playing the piano, church community and involvement, and most importantly her beloved family.
She leaves behind John L. Spangberg, loving husband of 55 years, children Caroline Rose, John Spangberg and wife Carrie, Ted Spangberg and wife Juanita, Tim Spangberg and wife Christina. Her grandchildren Daniel Rose, Stephan Rose and wife Chelsea, Jonathan Decarlo, Amelia Spangberg, and Jay Spangberg, with bonus grandson Manuel Monsalves and great grandchildren Leo Decarlo and James Decarlo. Her younger brother Ted Hax and husband Jim Bartlett, and nephew Christian Kaplan, and sister in law Netty Hax.
She is preceded in death by her parents Theodore B. Hax and Yula Hax, and brother Fritz Hax.
A committal service will be held at 11:00 am. Friday, November 22, 2024, at The Idaho State Veterans Cemetery, 10100 N. Horseshoe Bend Rd. in Boise.
A memorial service will be held at 11:00 am, Saturday, November 23, 2024, at True Hope Collister Church, 4709 W. State St. in Boise, with Chaplain Nick Pinneri officiating.
Arrangements are under the direction of Bowman Funeral Parlor of Garden City.