Southern Gospel Music Sponsor Passes Away at Age 102

Mildred Spethmann who, along with her daughter Ruth Ann DeForest, sponsored many Southern Gospel concerts in San Diego County, passed away October 2, 2017 at age 102.

This obituary appeared in the San Diego Union-Tribune on October 8, 2017.

Mildred Emilie Spethmann | March 24, 1915 – October 2, 2017 

Lemon Grove, California — Mildred was born to Edward and Emilie Stein in Hankinson, North Dakota. She had 7 brothers and sisters. Mildred took over all the household duties when her mother passed away when she was still in high school. She married Francis Spethmann on June 27, 1937. They lived in New Effington, South Dakota where Frank had a dry cleaning and clothing business. They had 3 children: Janet Haning (Phoenix), Ruth Ann DeForest (El Cajon), and Dr. Thomas Spethmann (Diane) (San Diego). The family settled in El Cajon in 1949 and continued to prosper. For many years they owned Broadway Frosty and Donut in El Cajon. In later years, she and her daughter, Ruth Ann, sponsored many Southern Gospel concerts. Many of these artists have become lifelong friends. For the past 12 years, she had been living at Mount Miguel Covenant Village, Spring Valley, CA. Mildred was predeceased by her parents, 5 of her siblings, and her husband Frank, who passed away in 1991. She is survived by her 3 children, 7 grandchildren: Ronnie Kennedy (Melinda), Maureen Miller (Boyd), Dean Kennedy, Dain DeForest (Cheryl), Devin DeForest, Amy Duncan, Vaughn Spethmann (Joanne); 10 great-grandchildren: Brandon Kennedy, Keegan Miller (Ciera), Savannah Miller, Jaron Miller, Denae Ranucci (Christofer), Dillon DeForest, Danica DeForest, Elijah Duncan, Kaylen Duncan, and Andrew Duncan; and 2 sisters, Verna Quam and Lora Nagel.

A memorial service will be held at El Cajon Wesleyan Church at 10AM on Saturday, October 28, 2017.

In lieu of flowers you may designate a donation to the “Gospel Concert Fund” at El Cajon Wesleyan Church, 1500 E Lexington Ave, El Cajon, CA 92019. Funds received will be used to sponsor a gospel concert in memory of Mildred.

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