Carol's Turtle Tales

WAUSEON – Frank and Mary Weber raised their children to stay close to their faith. Their daughter, Delores Spieles, has faithfully stayed in that shadow living a life of faithful dedication to the church.

When husband Jim, finished military duty, they settled in Wauseon and liked it, but missed one thing. St. Caspar Parish did not have a Catholic school for their two small children.

PICTURE PERFECT PARISHIONER – Delores Spieles
accepted the call to be fund-raising chair because,
"The parishioners who came before us had given us the
building, and now we had the chance to build something
for the next generation."

The pastor taught religious education on Saturday morning with all grades together in one class. Delores, trained as a teacher, took on the task of creating a religious education program and recruiting volunteers. Directing the program helped her to raise her own children in the "shadow of the church." The program developed under her leadership for 17 years until it outgrew a volunteer and a full time staff person was hired.

When pastor Father Robert Holden asked her to chair the building fund-raising committee for a Parish Life Center, she agreed "even though fund-raising isn't my thing." She accepted the call because a greater good was at stake. "The parishioners that came before us at St. Caspar's had given us the church building and now we had the chance to build something for the next generation." Delores says.

Delores also serves as Parish Historian, Eucharist Minister and Lector. Now that the building campaign is well under way, Delores hopes to form a grief support group. Because of God's faithfulness during losses in her own life, she wants to help others in their grief journey.

Retired after teaching for 20 years, serving as principal at Patrick Henry Schools and director of curriculum of Henry County, she now works part-time writing grants and creating programs to help schools. Jim and Delores have been married 42 years and have 5 children and 10 grandchildren. Time is their best present to their family.

She says of her parish involvement she has received as much as she has given. "I want the people of St. Caspar's to know what they are to me. The faith and volunteerism of these people have helped me to see Christ and I want to thank them."