Rose was born in Spielberg, Germany on November 11, 1926 to Ignaz and Maria Alberstoetter. She was the 5th daughter of 6 girls and one boy. Following World War II, she started working for the American Occupation Forces and worked in the Post Exchange in Altenstadt, Bavaria. There she met her future husband, Sergeant Nicholas J. Spidel. They were married by the local German officials in Bamberg, where Nick was stationed at the time. This was followed by a wedding Mass in Oberschweinbach, Bavaria in the Church of St Magdalene.
Rose came to the United States in 1948 and became a US citizen. She learned English on her own. She had 3 children, Robert, Michael and Sandra. Although as part of an Army family, she moved around including stays in Germany, Washington D.C. and Winston-Salem, NC, Georgia became her true home. Rose and the family became original members of Holy Cross Catholic Church in Tucker in 1964. Following Nick’s retirement in 1966, they traveled at home and abroad. They visited son Bob who was stationed in Germany in at the time. Nick passed away in December 1983.
From that point on Rose spent her time on her 3 great loves. She spent hours in the yard and garden at every opportunity. She loved to travel and did so with friends throughout the United States and Canada and also with her son Bob, who was frequently stationed in Germany as well as her sisters living in the Munich area. Finally, she loved nothing more than helping take care of her 5 grandchildren and her great grandchildren. She was an active member of Holy Cross Catholic Church for over 50 years and went on several pilgrimages with members of the church.
Rose is preceded in death by her husband, Sergeant Major Nicholas J. Spidel (USA-Ret). She is survived by son COL Robert J. Spidel (USA-Ret) of Grayson, Georgia, son Michael T. Spidel and his wife Kathy of Jasper, Georgia and daughter Sandra M. Spidel and her husband, Peter of Snellville, Georgia as well as 5 grandchildren and 7 great grandchildren.
A Funeral Mass is scheduled for 11AM, February 15 at Holy Cross Catholic Church in Atlanta, Georgia.
The family is asking that in lieu of flowers, a donation is considered to Rosina’s favorite organization:
USO of Georgia
PO Box 20963
Atlanta, GA 30320
