Elsmarie Spinder

Elsmarie Luise Spinder, 94, went to be with the Lord on Wednesday, Dec. 30, 2020, after her passing at Quincy Village Retirement Community, where she had been residing over the past five years.

She was the wife of Andy Spinder, who preceded her in death in February of 2000.

Known to all as Elsie, she was born on Aug. 13, 1926, in Hof, Germany, to Hans and Martha Schiller. She was the oldest of two children. Her sister, Annie, was born in 1928. Just several years younger than Elsie, Annie tragically died of diphtheria at the age of 5.

Elsie was 7 when the National Socialist (Nazi) regime came to power in Germany. Her father, a local leader in a German Opposition Party, was forced into hiding in 1933. Elsie rarely saw her father, as he was constantly sought by the German Secret Police. Nighttime raids by the police were commonplace at the home Elsie shared with her mother and sister. Ultimately, her father was apprehended and interred in the Dachau Concentration Camp, the first Nazi Concentration Camp opened when Hitler became chancellor of Germany. Her father was incarcerated as a political prisoner throughout most of 1933.

Upon the end of World War II, Elsie met Andy Spinder, an American soldier serving as a Russian linguist in Hof, (the city of Hof sat along the East-West German border, a great vantage point for electronic eavesdropping during the Cold War).

Andy and Elsie were married on June 11, 1955, in Bremerhaven, Germany. As Andy was a career soldier, the two found themselves living in Okinawa, Japan, Fort Sill, Okla., and Fort Bliss, Texas. Upon Andy’s retirement from active duty in 1965, they settled down in his hometown of Butler, which Elsie quickly adopted as her own.

Elsie worked for nearly 20 years at the Butler Intermediate High School. As a lunch lady in the school cafeteria, she loved interacting with the students who came through her line.

Elsie is survived by two sons, Samuel Spinder of Greencastle, Pa., along with his spouse, Manuela, and Jeffrey Spinder of Denver, Colo., and his spouse, Melissa.

Elsie was known as “Oma” to her four grandchildren, Stephen Spinder, David Spinder, Katie Spinder and Sierra Spinder. She is also survived by several nieces and nephews.

In addition to family, Elsie had a cherished friend in Lisa Petraszko, spending countless hours sharing similar childhood stories about growing up in Germany.

Also, family friends, Andrew and Theresa Kamerer, were always ready to help out Elsie in a pinch.

Finally, Elsie could regularly be found satisfying her sweet tooth at Barkus Chocolates, where she struck up a warm friendship with owner, Amy Barkus. Sincere thanks to you all for your friendship, kindness and generosity toward Elsie.

SPINDER — Graveside services for Elsmarie Luise Spinder, who died Wednesday, Dec. 30, 2020, will be held at Arlington National Cemetery, where Elsie will be interred alongside her husband.

Arrangements are by Grove-Bowersox Funeral Home, Waynesboro, Pa.

Online condolences may be expressed at www.bowersoxfuneralhomes.com.