Helen Spurgin

Helen Margaret Spurgin, age 86, of DeKalb, formerly of Elburn, passed away at home, surrounded by the love and prayers of her family, Sunday, November 26, 2017. She was born May 8, 1931, the daughter of proud parents, Chester and Agnes (Neumann) Brunner, in Milwaukee, WI. Helen grew up in the Watertown, WI, area and attended local schools. Helen was united in marriage to Martin Richard Schmidt in March of 1949. They began their new life in Monroe, WI, and were blessed with seven children before Martin’s tragic death on February 15, 1966, due to a brain aneurysm. Following his passing, Helen and her seven children then moved to Illinois and settled in Mooseheart Child City in Batavia. Fate intervened on the dance floor of the Blue Moon in Elgin. It was there that Helen was introduced to Bud Spurgin, a widower and father of two. At the end of the night it seemed poetic that they had unwittingly parked right next to each other. A few weeks later, they met yet again, and this time Bud didn’t let her walk away without asking for a date. A love soon blossomed and from it grew a combined family of nine children when they were married on June 8, 1968. The “Spurgin Bunch” made a million memories finding ways to live together in Bud’s home on Shannon St. in Elburn. Five girls and four boys shared a three bedroom house with only two bathrooms. Bud and Helen’s love, patience and strength kept the family together, even when the house seemed to be busting at the seams. After successfully raising all their children and seeing them on their way, Bud and Helen decided to make a change in October of 2007 when they moved to their present home in DeKalb. After Bud’s passing in 2012, Helen continued to hold court and always left a light on for family and friends. Helen’s love and dedication to her family had no equal as she reigned supreme on the home front. No one could have taken on so many family challenges with so much grace, love, patience and compassion. Her example as a mother, wife and friend will stand the test of time for generations to come. She was a faithful member of Hope Evangelical Lutheran Church, West Chicago, for many years before transferring to Abiding Peace Lutheran Church in Elgin, IL, in recent years. Helen’s sense of family was foremost in her life. The struggles of her childhood still echoed in her heart so Helen swore to keep her family close, and her devotion to God even closer. Her faith was her bedrock. Devotion and prayer was a daily occurrence, and gave her an opportunity to express thanks for all her blessings. When times got tight, she taught her children to work harder and never to accept a hand out. In her younger years, she could be found exercising her green thumb, bringing bounties of vegetable and a veritable flower shop of blooms. Later, memories of camping in “The Mini”, a Winnebago, gave the family an unrivaled feeling of freedom. Helen had a creative soul and hands that wouldn’t rest. Helen was queen of her kitchen, making everything from scratch with more than a double helping of love in each, one of a kind, recipe. She was always making crafts, clothes, dolls and crocheted items. Every single family member had an homemade afghan, an heirloom to be passed on from her heart to theirs. Her dogs, especially Corgis, (and in recent years, her beloved cat Carmen, a rescue cat), made a place in her heart. When she did have time to sit, Helen was a voracious reader, especially those books written by Nicholas Sparks and Debbie Macomber. She chewed through those books at such a rapid rate, she listed only those she hadn’t read yet, rather than the exhaustive list of ones she had. No one was able to match her combination of strength and compassion, independence and family, and a faith that couldn’t be shaken. Never did she give up, no matter what life threw at her and even in the last moments, it was her body that broke, never her spirit. She is survived by seven children: Steven (Linda) Schmidt, Gary (Deborah) Schmidt, Robert (Carol) Schmidt, Marsha Schmidt, Debra Schmidt, Jamie Koz, Sharon (Gary) Spatafora; one step-daughter, Theresa (David) Reis; 12 grandchildren: Bryan (Jen) Schmidt, Vanessa Hyre, Jessica (Travis) Clisham, Jenna (Ty Ore) Schmidt, James Schmidt, Jill Schmidt, Hannah Quackenbush, Gretchen (Scott) Hammer, Kristin (Nigel) Holten, Megan (Michael) Howe, Mary (Nic) Fox, Sarah Baugher; 8 great-grandchildren: Jesse Schmidt, Morgan and Logan Hyre, Nicholas and William Hammer, Dylan Delleman, Elena Fox and Skyler Ore; sisters-in-law: Betty Schmidt, Delores Schmidt and Lois Schmidt; many nieces, nephews and many dear friends. Also, a very special mention to the Ehrke Family who attended to Helen whenever she was in need. Their kindness and love for her will never be forgotten. Helen is preceded in death by her parents; husband Bud “Red” Spurgin; one brother John Neumann; one son-in-law, Steven Koz and a step-son Buddy Spurgin. Visitation will be from 10-11:30 a.m., Saturday, December 2, 2017, at Conley Funeral Home, 116 W. Pierce St., Elburn, IL 60119. A funeral to celebrate her faith will follow visitation. Joshua Free, pastor of the Abiding Peace Lutheran Church, will officiate with interment to follow at Blackberry Township Cemetery, Elburn. A memorial has been established in Helen’s name to benefit her favorite charities. Checks may be made to the “Helen M. Spurgin Memorial” and mailed in care of P.O. Box 66, Elburn, 60119. Tributes may also be forwarded to the same address, on the Conley Funeral Home Facebook Page or on the web at www.conleycare.com.
The family wishes to especially thank her care givers, Tiffany, Linda and Kim.

A funeral to celebrate her faith at 11:30 a.m., Saturday, December 2, 2017, at Conley Funeral Home, 116 W. Pierce St., Elburn, IL 60119 Joshua Free, pastor of the Abiding Peace Lutheran Church, will officiate

Visitation will be from 10-11:30 a.m., Saturday, December 2, 2017, at Conley Funeral Home, 116 W. Pierce St., Elburn, IL 60119.

Interment to follow at Blackberry Township Cemetery, Elburn.