Carolyn Ann Spanger, 77, passed away September 2, 2020. She was born in Washington, IN on November 19, 1942 to Oscar and Ruth
Wagner Spanger. Carolyn grew up with her parents and sister, Jane, on the family farm in Westphalia,
IN.
One of her happiest memories on the farm was swimming in the large horse
trough. She continued to love swimming at Rainbow Beach as an adult.
Carolyn moved into a KCARC group home in the 1980’s and began a new and exciting life. For
the first time she had a job and responsibility for household duties for which she loved. She and
one of the other residents, Nicki, became good friends. They lived as roommates and vacationed
together in many states for years. To Carolyn’s delight, they stayed in motels that had swimming
pools. She, also, loved bowling and won many medals in the Special Olympics.
Carolyn’s cousins, Jessie “Sue” Green Milligan and Mary Ann Green Stone and their families included
Carolyn in holiday and family gatherings. Carolyn would always look forward to the holidays.
The Stone family would travel from northern Indiana to bring Carolyn to Indianapolis for
Thanksgiving. Christmas and other holidays were usually spent with the Milligan family.
Carolyn would always take many pictures to show to her friends and family members.
Everyone knew that Carolyn had the memory like an elephant. If you wanted to know the date
of something, Carolyn could tell you the date, time, and place of the event.
The family would like to extend special thanks to all of her caretakers throughout the years. A
very special thank you goes to Christina Prichard, whom Carolyn loved and to her St. John’s
United Church of Christ family.
Carolyn was preceded in death by her parents, Oscar and Ruth Wagner Spanger, and her sister,
Jane Spanger. Surviving are many cousins from the Wagner and Spanger families.
In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Special Olympics Indiana at 6200 Technology
Center Road Suite 105, Indianapolis, IN 46278 or www.give.specialolympics.org
Due to Covid-19, there will be a private graveyard service at the Salem United Church of Christ,
Westphalia, IN. Goodwin-Sievers Funeral Home is honored to serve the family of Carolyn Ann Spanger.
