Winnifred Spani

Winnifred Adel Spani, of Butte, Mont., died Tuesday, April 1, 2014, in a local hospital.

She was born Oct. 12, 1924, in Maynard, to Harold L. and Laura P. (Ranny) Arthur. She graduated from Consolidated High School in Fayette, in 1942 and worked as a telephone operator for two years before entering the U.S. Army.

Winnifred and her sister, Dorothy, joined the WAC’s Purple Heart Platoon after their brother, Robert, was killed in action in France.

Following her discharge she worked for Pacific Bell in Pasadena, Calif., and it was there that she married Ernest Spani on Jan. 10, 1948. Soon after they settled in Butte where she raised her family and later worked at the Mile High Motel.

She was preceded in death by her husband, Ernest, who passed away July 5, 1995; her parents; brothers, Robert, Elwyn and Earl; and her sister, Dorothy Johnson.

She is survived by her sons, Mark Spani and Ernest “Louie” Spani, both of Butte, Mont.; daughter and son-in-law, Kathie and Len Maki of Park City, Utah; grandchildren, Eric (Suzie) Maki and Cory (Ashlee) Maki; and her great-grandchildren, Braden and Berklee Maki; and several nieces and nephew who always looked forward to her visits to Iowa.

In keeping with Winnifred’s wishes, cremation has taken place. Committal services will take place at a later date. Memorials in memory of Winnifred may be made to the United Veteran’s Council in Butte.

Express condolences at www.mtstandard.com/obits.