View Video Tribute

Elizabeth E. Savides passed away peacefully on Wednesday March 11, 2009 at Evergreen Retirement Community in Oshkosh after a 7-year battle with Lewy Body Dementia. She was born February 18, 1919 in the Township of Troy, Sauk County, Wisconsin, the daughter of Elias and Ellen Sprecher. Liz was the third oldest of eight children in the close-knit Sprecher family. She grew up on the family farm.

On April 24, 1954, Liz married Philip Savides in Prairie du Sac, Wisconsin. For a brief time after their marriage they lived in Terre Haute, Indiana. However, late in 1954 they were delighted to be transferred back to Wisconsin. Their new home was in Oshkosh. It was there that they would raise their two children, build their home, become involved in the community and spend the rest of their lives. It turned out to be a match made in heaven, as Liz and Phil would enjoy 53 loving years together.

Liz was the very definition of a homemaker, caring for her family and home in an exemplary manner. She was a fabulous cook, a talented seamstress, a prolific maker of crafts and a passionate gardener.

Church was always an important part of Liz's life dating back to her childhood. Liz and Phil were longtime members of First United Methodist Church in Oshkosh where Liz taught Sunday School and Vacation Bible School. Over the years she made and donated countless crafts of all types to the church for their annual bazaar. She also volunteered for many years at Mercy Medical Center. She and Phil together volunteered at the Red Cross and delivered Meals on Wheels for many years.

In 2005 Liz moved to Evergreen Retirement Community as dementia began to take a toll. After Phil's health deteriorated early in 2007, he and Liz briefly became Evergreen roommates until Phil passed away in April of 2007. In spite of the challenges Liz's dementia posed, she never complained. She was truly a blessing to all who knew her and was a tremendous influence on her family, especially her children and grandchildren.

Liz is survived by her son Mark and daughter-in-law, Jane of Appleton, and her three beloved grandchildren, David (Angela) of Appleton, Michael of Appleton, and Nicole currently attending college in Auburn, Alabama. Liz is also survived by her siblings Lyle Sprecher, Halsey (Lyla) Sprecher, both of Prairie du Sac, Vilas (Nancy) Sprecher of North Freedom, Marion (Ed) Yngsdal of Fond du Lac, Ruby (Neil) Alwin of Dane, and Keith Sprecher of Madison. Other survivors include sisters-in-law Lilah Sprecher of Prairie du Sac, Virginia Savides of Morton Illinois, Helen (Earl) Brown of Tampa Florida, and brother-in-law Rev. James Savides of Eau Claire. In addition, Liz is survived by many nieces, nephews and good friends including a special friend at Evergreen, Elsie Diesterhaupt. Liz was preceded in death by her husband, Phil, daughter, Linda, her parents, her oldest brother, Leslie, and several sisters-in-law and brothers-in-law

A memorial service for Liz will be held at 12:00 Noon on Monday, March 16, 2009 at First United Methodist Church in Oshkosh, 700 West Linwood. Visitation will be at the church from 10:30 a.m. until the time of the service. Inurnment will be at Lake View Memorial Park in Oshkosh. In lieu of flowers, memorials to First United Methodist Church or the Evergreen Foundation in Liz's name are appreciated. Please visit www.seefeldfuneral.com to send online condolences to the family.

Liz's family would like to extend a sincere thank you to the staff at Evergreen's Creekview North unit for the loving care they provided to Liz for the past four years. Thanks also to the staff of Heartland Hospice for all they did in making Liz's final days as comfortable as possible.

Seefeld Funeral and

Cremation Services

(920) 236-7750

View Video Tribute