Marian Josephine Spagrud

Marian Josephine Spagrud (nee Dellinger), aged 93, passed away on Tuesday, December 16, 2025 at Assiniboia Union Hospital in Assiniboia, Saskatchewan. She passed away peacefully, surrounded by her loving family.

Marian was born on June 4, 1932 in Rockglen, Saskatchewan, to Urban and Margaret (Kleinfelder) Dellinger, the eldest of three daughters.

Marian married Melvin Spagrud on July 5, 1954 in Rockglen, SK. Marian taught school for 36 years and together they farmed and ranched for over 6 decades west of Rockglen. They had four children: Marc (1957); Sheree (1966); and twins Trevor and Trina (1968). Mel and Marian celebrated their 70th wedding anniversary in July of 2024.

Marian Spagrud led a life of service. First and foremost, as a wife to Melvin and mother to Marc, Sheree, Trevor and Trina. She encouraged and supported them in education, sports and in the arts of dance and music. Later her flock expanded to include 10 grandchildren and 11 great grandchildren. Even in her nineties she made it a personal goal to be able to remember each one by name and which family they belonged to. With the assistance of the Spagrud family calendar each one received a phone call on their birthday.

Secondly, as a teacher of 36 years. She began her teaching career at the tender age of nineteen without any formal secondary education. A superintendent was looking for a bright young woman to help at Dorgan School near Flintoft. After a year she attended teacher’s college in Moose Jaw and then taught at Aryton School west of Rockglen. It was important to her that she could feel validated in her career. She wanted to be remembered not only as a caring fun-loving teacher but also one with high standards of behavior and learning. Too bad she couldn’t teach today!

Thirdly, Marian served the Rockglen community as a member of the Kinettes, Borderland Music Festival, St. John’s Parish Council and the St. John’s Cemetery Committee. She relished and encouraged both athletics and arts. Mel and Marian played ball, curled and led a very active social life with friends and family. Dancing, playing cards (schmear, whist, bridge, checkers and cribbage), social partying with staff and friends were preplanned, executed and enjoyed. Marian played bridge with friends only a few days before passing. When dealt a good crib hand playing with Marc, she would say “you’re going to get smoked”! Many a weather warning was ignored because of a square dance hours away. A huge garden with every plant known to man was highlighted with rows of gladiolas – her favorite flower.

Personal passions that show talent and patience include square dancing, gardening, painting and writing poetry. She loved to sit on the garden tractor mowing down acres of grass. Many of her grandchildren have a poetic keepsake to memorialize their grandma.

Marian is survived by her son Marc (Belinda) Spagrud, Rockglen; daughter Sheree Wendt, Calgary; son Trevor (Melanie) Spagrud, Calgary; daughter Trina (John) Hill, Calgary; ten grandchildren and eleven great-grandchildren; sister Helen Kessler, Regina. Marian is predeceased by her loving husband Melvin (2024); parents Urban and Margaret Dellinger; sister Alice Faucher; brothers-in-law Louis Faucher and Adam Kessler; and nephews Clint and Addison Kessler.

Marian will be greatly missed by her family, friends, caregivers and multitudes of students whose lives she touched as a teacher. Her love and kindness will be in our hearts forever.

A prayer service will be held on Sunday, December 21, 2025 at 7:00pm at St. John’s Roman Catholic Church, Rockglen, SK.

The funeral mass will be held on Monday, December 22, 2025 at 11:00 AM at St. John’s Roman Catholic Church.

Interment at St. John’s Roman Catholic Cemetery followed by a social in Rockglen Community Hall. Everyone is invited to join the family in fellowship, lunch and a tribute presented by Trina Hill (daughter).

Donations in memory of Marian may be made to the Grasslands Health Center Auxiliary. Fond memories and expressions of sympathy for the Spagrud family may be shared at www.rossfuneralservice.com. Arrangements entrusted to Ross Funeral Service, Assiniboia, 1-306-642-3373.

Grandma

She rose with the land and the turning day,

Where love grew quiet in work and in way.

A farm was her rhythm, the pastures her song,

And family the place where she always belonged.

Her home filled with voices, with plates passed near,

Grandchildren and Great ones gathered in cheer.

She cooked like love knew where it was meant to stay,

Teaching us comfort in each small way.

She dressed with care, with a knowing grace,

And told us we shone right there in place.

Her faith was steady, a guiding thread,

Leading us gently where her footsteps led.

She walked the pastures, hand in hand

A not so quiet teacher of life and land.

She cheered from the rinks, the courts, the fields,

Believed in the promise of what we’d yield.

A teacher by calling, by nature, by heart,

Shaping our lives from the very start.

A strength that guided, a will that knew,

How love holds firm and carries through.

She was grandma, our mother, our home,

A love that taught us we’re never alone.

And even in absence, her lessons remain,

Rooted in love, like pastures after rain.

by, Nina Hill (Granddaughter)

For floral orders please contact Moms Florist (Assiniboia) 306-642-4777 www.momsfloristassiniboia.com