Loretta Marie Spiess

Our dad's beautiful wife and our dear and loving mother left for heaven on May 2, 2023. She was born to Carl and Beatrice Nyquist on March 3, 1940, in Tracy, Minnesota. As one of ten children, Loretta lived a life that would be filled with true devotion to family, friends, and faith. In 1943, the Nyquist family moved from Minnesota to Oregon. Initially, the family farmed in the Donald area and later moved to Scio. A schoolyard race in Scio was one of Loretta's favorite stories because she" beat Berta." Thus, we have often referred to Loretta as the" Scio Flash!" Loretta was proud of her Nyquist roots, and Dad often referred to Mom simply as "Nyquist."

Upon graduating from Helix High School in La Mesa, California, Loretta returned to Salem, Oregon, and worked for State Farm Insurance, where a coworker set up a blind date for Loretta with Dick Spiess. Loretta and Dick were married at St. Vincent's Catholic Church in Salem on June 3, 1961. Their love would be a model to us all for 62 years. Unfortunately, Loretta and Dick were apart a couple of years ago due to a hospitalization. In trying to explain the situation to Dad, he paused and said, "I just didn't know you could miss one person so much."

Loretta and Dick lived in Pendleton from 1961-1969, during which time they welcomed their four children: Michael, Richard, Jr., Christine, and Michelle. In 1961, along with Dick's brother Lowell, they purchased the drive-in theaters in Pendleton and Milton-Freewater. In 1969, Dick and Loretta moved their family to Milton-Freewater to run the M-F Drive-In Theater. It was in Milton-Freewater where Loretta would find her lifelong friends at church – the ladies of St. Jude's. With a unique zest for life and a devotion of support, these ladies were event planners before event planning was a business - birthday celebrations and wedding receptions were their specialty, and friendship their hallmark.

Loretta's life took on the role of employer and mentor to many when, in 1973, Loretta and Dick purchased what would become The Burger Hut. Until the sale of The Burger Hut in 1989, Loretta ran a business that continued to grow because of her dedication and diligence. Moreover, Loretta taught many of her young employees essential life lessons and forged life-long friendships with many of her employees and customers.

Despite running a business, Loretta always put family and faith first. She modeled an unparalleled strength of faith for her children and grandchildren. One of Loretta's other favorite stories was how others marveled that she was not daunted by having the priests for dinner with four little kids running around. Nothing really daunted Loretta, and she saw this as a natural way to blend faith and family. Loretta found joy in the simple pleasures of life – reading to her children, cheering on her children and grandchildren, teasing and laughing with anyone – a hardworking and quick-witted woman with a kind and mischievous sparkle. We will miss her sparkle and work hard to honor her legacy.

Loretta was preceded in death by her parents and five brothers ( Gene, Paul, Theodore, Duane, and Erwin), and one of her sisters, Lavonne Burnham.

Loretta is survived by her husband, Richard, along with her four children and their spouses: Michael (Lorie), Richard, Jr. (Renae), Christine Richard (Thomas), and Michelle Hobus (John). Loretta's eight grandchildren also carry on her legacy: Christopher Spiess (Misty), Sarah Spiess, Marcus Spiess, Joshua Richard, Timothy Richard (Kindall), Patrick Richard (Mikayla), Frank Hobus, and Ryan Hobus. Along with these are five great-grandchildren: Lucy, Daphne, and Emmi Spiess, Maeva and Cohen Richard. Loretta's surviving siblings are her sisters, Lorraine O'Tool and Luella Nyquist, and her brother, Vern.

The family would like to extend their heartfelt gratitude to the staff at Park Manor Rehabilitation Center for not simply caring for Mom for the past two years but for loving her as well. In addition, our gratitude to Dr. Joanne Perez for her many years of caring for Mom is heartfelt and beyond words.

Viewing and Visitation will be held on Sunday, May 21, from 1:00 pm to 5:00 pm, with the recitation of the Holy Rosary beginning at 5:00 pm, at the Chapel of the Herring Funeral Home, 315 W. Alder, Walla Walla. Celebration of the Holy Mass of Christian Burial will be held Monday, May 22, at 10:00 am at Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary Catholic Church, 2098 E. Alder, Walla Walla, followed by a backyard luncheon at the home of Christine and Thomas Richard, 68 Russet Road, Walla Walla.

Memorial contributions may be made to the Walla Walla Catholic Schools' Tuition Assistance Fund or Catholic Charities of Walla Walla through the Herring Groseclose Funeral Home, 315 W. Alder St., Walla Walla, WA 99362. In addition, friends and family are invited to sign the online guestbook at www.herringgroseclose.com.