Narosonia Spatz (94) passed away on January 15, 2019 in Albuquerque, NM. Narosonia is survived by her
children: Dean Spatz (Carol), Virginia Spatz (Don Samson), James Spatz (Gail), Pamela Kerkmans (Ron),
and Rebecca Brazell, Nina Mercante (her Brazilian daughter); as well 10 grandchildren and their spouses and 17 great grandchildren. She was preceded in death by her beloved husband of 60 years, Donald; her parents, Rudy and Minnie Muller; sister and brother-in-law, Dorothy and Fritz Arensdorf; brother, Douglas Muller; step-grandson, Shane
Stubbendeck; and brother-in-law, Dale Spatz.
Raised on a farm outside the small town of Bruno, Nebraska (pop. 250) Narosonia and her Abie-born
"city boy" husband, Don, both graduated from David City High School. In 1943, they fearlessly left the
small town via train to live and work in New Jersey, of which she would later fondly remember trips into
Manhattan and the new experiences that came with it. They lived in Cleveland and Omaha before moving
to Albuquerque in 1953 with their 4 children. Narosonia assuredly inserted herself to her adoptive home
as though she knew then that they would not be leaving. Not one to pass up an opportunity to talk with a
stranger, or better yet, a soon-to-be friend, Narosonia's ambition and drive also led her to UNM where
she obtained a BS in Home Economics in 1960. The next year they welcomed their fifth child. She had
several jobs, enjoying her work as Executive Director of Camp Fire Girls the most, but her most
successful role was as mother and grandmother, where her door and kitchen were always open for meals
and conversation, the latter required for anyone partaking in the former. She was active at Bear Canyon
and Palo Duro senior centers with the quilting groups and was also on the board at Bear Canyon for
several years.
In 1963, they began building a cabin with the help of family and friends on the Conejos River in southern
Colorado. Generous without apprehension, Narosonia and Don hosted many people enjoying wonderful
vacations at the cabin over the years, and even if she wasn't there physically, her guests could rely on
her to leave friendly notes from The Mgmt reminding them of the most efficient, tried and true,
method Narosonia found for everything from building a fire to cleaning the bathroom. After retirement,
Narosonia and Don traveled the world, from working "vacations" in Yellowstone National Park where they
lived one summer to tours of the Soviet Union and Czechoslovakia during the Cold War. She shared her
love of travel with high school student tour groups. A brave woman with boundless curiosity, and opinion,
she never stopped wanting to explore other cultures, learn their history, and, of course, meet their
people. We will all greatly miss her input, her guidance, her example, but most of all her undying love of
her family.
A Celebration of Life service will be held at 10:00 AM, Saturday, March 2, 2019 in Daniels Family Funeral Services ~ Wyoming Chapel, 7601 Wyoming Blvd. NE., Albuquerque, NM 87109.. In lieu of flowers, and in recognition of Narosonia's spirit, please make a donation to your favorite charity and/or courageously extend your hospitality to a stranger who you may otherwise have missed the chance to meet.
Saturday, March 2, 2019
Starts at 10:00 am (Mountain time)
Daniels Family Funeral Services - Wyoming Blvd. Chapel
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