Loretta Spies, 83, of Arnolds Park passed away on Sunday, November 23, 2025, at the Accura Healthcare of Milford in Milford, IA.
A Mass of Christian Burial will be held at 10:30 a.m. on Tuesday, December 2, 2025, at St. Joseph’s Catholic Church in Milford, IA. A Rosary will be recited at 9:15 AM on Tuesday at the church followed by a visitation up until the time of the Mass at the church. Burial will take place in the Lake View Gardens Cemetery in Okoboji. Arrangements are under the direction of the Robinson Funeral Home in Spirit Lake, IA. Online condolences may be left at www.spiritlakefuneralhome.com
Loretta “Ret” Janan (Hall) Spies was born on September 17, 1942, in Algona, IA to Walter and Margaret (Waters) Hall. She was united in marriage to James Spies on July 2, 1960. Together they welcomed three children—Lori, Matt, and Molly—who were the pride and joy of Ret’s heart.
Ret devoted her life to being a wonderful mother and homemaker. She loved making memories with her children, especially on family ski trips and long days spent boating together. Her grandchildren held a special place in her life, and she cherished every moment with them. In later years she then became “GG” to her great grandchildren who she adored. In her free time, Ret enjoyed playing Bridge with her mom and friends. She loved making jam, crafting greeting cards, playing the piano for friends and family and sharing her creativity with others. She had a deep love for Lake Okoboji where she spent most of her life enjoying all the lake had to offer.
Left to cherish her memory are her children, Lori Spies of Arnold’s Park, IA; Matt (Marty) Spies of Spirit Lake, IA; and Molly (Brian) Westergard of Lost Island, IA; life partner Mike Thelen of Arnolds Park, IA; Grandchildren Samantha (Jeff) Burns, Beau (Hannah) Craig, Sydney (Jeremy) Kelly, Grant (Ashley) Westergard, Whitney (Spencer) Vine, and Nataley Westergard; Great grandchildren; Olivia Vine, Braxton Westergard, Ford Burns, Remington Kelly, Paisley Westergard, Adler Kelly, Isla Burns, and Hezekiah Craig; Siblings Jeanne (Robert) Brown, Bill (Sandy) Hall, Judy (Greg) Kendall, Kathy (Mark) McGill and Kris (Ron) Walker.
She was preceded in death by her parents Marge and Walt Hall, niece and nephew Jennifer and Carter Manly and her sister Sue Hall.