Obituary of Judith Stella Spraske

   Judith (Judie) Stella Spraske, 83, of Gig Harbor, WA passed away on Monday, December 11th at St. Joseph Medical Center in Tacoma after a brief illness.  She was born on April 28, 1940 in Caribou, ME to the late Philip and Frances (Jalbert) Woodman.

   As a young child her family relocated to eastern Connecticut.  Several years later she met her first husband, Homer Bouten, and together they had five children:  Deborah, Homer (Joseph), Philip, Gary and Scott.  She was a devoted wife and mother.  Eventually, she met her second husband, Anthony Spraske, and in October 1969 they were married.  To their union two daughters were born:  Heidi and Bambi.  They remained married until his passing in October 2020.

   In 1981 the family moved to Washington state.  During this time Judie enjoyed working outside the home as a nursery attendant at a local greenhouse.  She also enjoyed going to yard sales and reselling purchased items on eBay.  Always an avid crocheter, she eventually transitioned to selling her intricate, handmade doiles online.

   Throughout her lifetimeJudie enjoyed gardening, playing Bingo, collecting Norman Rockwell items, donating to charitable causes, having a cold beer and cooking for her large family.  Often, her spaghetti and meatballs, stuffed cabbage and meatloaf were requested at family gatherings.

   Judie was a devote Christian and leaned heavily on her faith, especially following the unexpected deaths of her children, Joey in 1988 and Debbie in 2021.  At the end of her life she was eagerly awaiting being reunited in Heaven with her loved ones that had passed before her.  She will always be remembered as an absolutely wonderful mother, grandmother and great-grandmother.  She will be dearly missed by her family.

Judie was preceded in death by her mother and father, Philip and Frances; both of her siblings, Donna and Gary; her loving husband, Anthony; two of her children, Debbie and Joey; along with her son-in-law, Chris and step-daughter, Laura.

   She is survived by her son-in-law, Kenneth Glaude (husband of the late Deborah) of Voluntown, CT; son Philip Bouten and wife Sherri of Lake Havasu City, AZ; son Gary Bouten and wife Christine of Plainfield, CT; step-son Travis Spraske and fiancee Kathleen of AmblesideCumbria, England; son Scott Bouten and wife Michelle of Gig Harbor, WA; daughter Heidi King (wife of the late Chris) of Gig Harbor, WA; daughter Bambi Fegley and husband Dana of Gig Harbor, WA; 18 grandchildren, 23 great-grandchildren, her beloved dog, Skippy and cat Kit-Kit.  She will forever be in our thoughts, hearts and prayers.

   A private graveside service will be held on January 29th at the Tahoma National Cemetary.  She will be laid to rest alongside her late husband, Anthony.