Catherine Colman Spika

Catherine (Kay) Tilden Colman Spika was born to Harriett Sager and George Tilden Colman August 11, 1919, in Chicago Illinois. As a young child, she lived in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, and Punta Arenas, Chile, where her father worked for the US Foreign Service. After her mother died, she and family returned to US and lived in Racine, Wisconsin, where she graduated from high school. She attended Iowa State University, where she was a member of Gamma Phi Beta Sorority and received a BSc in Food Science. She married Robert (Bob) Miller Spika September 5, 1942, the day he received his wings. While Bob was overseas during World War II, Kay worked for Indianapolis Power and Light, formulating recipes for smaller amounts of sugar and shortening due to the shortages during the War.

She and Bob had three children raised while Bob’s career took them to Illinois, Michigan, Montana, Wisconsin and Minnesota. During this time, Kay was involved in local and regional groups, including PTA (awarded a Life membership), Camp Fire, and Gamma Phi Beta Sorority (awarded the Merit Award). They retired to Colorado Springs in 1980, where she was very active for many years in the Assistance League, Gamma Phi Beta Sorority and the Broadmoor Community Church. She enjoyed the outdoors, gardening and playing lots of bridge.

Kay is survived by her son, Dr. John Sager Spika of Ottawa, Canada, and her daughter, Nancy Jean Holloway and husband Jay of Louisville, CO; five grandchildren, Zachary Robert Paluh (Mayumi), Jacob Aaron Paluh (Erika Barth), Devon Fontaine Spika (Johan von Schantz), Jesse Perry Colman Spika, and Michael Hazen Tilden Spika. She was predeceased by her husband of 65 years (2008) and her daughter, Janet Elizabeth Davis (1998). Her first three great grandchildren are expected this spring.

A celebration of Kay’s life will take place at 10 AM, Friday, February 24, 2017 at the Broadmoor Community Church. Memorial contributions may be sent to the Assistance League of Colorado Springs or the Gamma Phi Beta Foundation (12737 E. Euclid Dr., Centennial, CO 80111-6445).