Anna Spacek 1928-2024
Anna Mae (Clay) Spacek, 96, passed away peacefully, with her daughter by her side, on June 20, 2024, in Topeka.
She was born to John and Julia Clay on May 1, 1928, the seventh of eight children. Her parents, farmers, were hit hard by the Depression years and World War II, leaving a lasting impression on her.
She attended a one-room schoolhouse in rural Nemaha County with as few as four classmates. She later graduated from Centralia High School.
She worked as an administrative assistant prior to her marriage to Philip J. Spacek Jr on June 20, 1947. They purchased a farm outside of Mayetta and raised their two children, David and Patti. She was a homemaker and farmer while their children grew up. Once her children were older, she re-entered the workforce, holding administrative assistant positions with the Kansas Department of Corrections and the Kansas Parole Board.
Even after her retirement, Anna Mae continued to serve her community, working at H&R Block in Holton and volunteering with Volunteer Income Tax Assistance (VITA) for 16 years. She would tell people that she did taxes for “old people.” She was 90 when she stepped down from that volunteer position.
She enjoyed reading, gardening, crocheting and traveling. She kept up with all the current issues of the day and was ready to debate you anytime, anywhere. She volunteered at her local precinct on election days and encouraged everyone to vote.
Anna Mae is survived by her daughter, Patti (Frank), San Diego, Calif.; her daughter-in-law, Martha, Topeka; grandchildren, Adam (Stephanie), Flagstaff, Ariz., Scott (Chris), Lawrence, Paul (Mary), Kansas City, and Liz, Glendale, Ariz.; and three great-grandchildren. She was preceded in death by her parents; her husband, Phil, in 1993; son, David, in 2011; and her seven siblings, Ross, Calvin, Lawrence, Henry, Catherine, Florence and Rosemary.
Anna Mae's passing is a great loss to her family and all who knew her. We are all in awe of her 96 years, so well-lived throughout eras of history those of us left behind can’t even begin to imagine.
Those who knew her will remember her wisdom, advice, friendliness, kindness and well-known Anna Mae-isms, such as “you could be right” which meant I love you but you’re wrong, “you’re really lucky with this weather” even if it was freezing outside, and she would often end conversations with “it will all work out” which meant we can’t do anything about it anyway.
Private burial and family celebration of life will be held at a later date.
To share a memory or leave a special message for the family, visit www.midwest-cremation.com
(PAID OBITUARY)
