Elroy J. Spreen

1927-2024

Elroy John “Doc” Spreen, D.C., of Medford, passed away in his home on July 11 at the age of 97, surrounded by his loving family. To the last, he retained his wit and sense of humor. A memorial mass will be held on Saturday, July 27, at the Holy Rosary Catholic Church at 11 a.m., with Elroy’s nephew Msgr. Joseph Hirsch (Lima, Peru) officiating. Visitation will begin at 9 a.m. until the time of the mass. Burial at the Holy Rosary Catholic Cemetery will follow the mass.

Born to Mary (Skabroud) and William Spreen in the town of Hammel, as a young man, Elroy was a gifted student and loved to hunt and fish. He graduated from Medford High School in 1944, and served with the Fifth Air Force from 1945-1946, with his overseas duty spent running supplies in Japan (as told by Elroy). After returning, he attended Lincoln Chiropractic College in Indianapolis, where he distinguished himself both in his clinical practice and as President of his class and Vice-Chancellor of his professional fraternity, receiving the honor of being named Outstanding Student by the college. A practicing chiropractor for 45 years at his office at 508 S. Park Avenue, Elroy treated young and old, rich and poor, and told us all to pull our shoulders back-for which we now thank him. He also served on the City of Medford Police and Fire Commission.

Elroy married Lorna Freudenthal on June 29, 1957, the luckiest day in his life (as told by Elroy and everyone else). With Lorna, he raised a family of girls, none of whom became hunters or fisherwomen, but who humored their father by losing the pole to a fish through the hole in the ice. Elroy was a social animal and filled his life with many friendships, among the closest, his fishing and hunting pal, the late Clem Kleutsch. Witty and a storyteller by nature, Elroy loved to weave a yarn, tell a joke, and come back with an ‘Elroyism.’ His greatest legacy, according to those who live on to tell the tale, are his seven daughters, who learned from him how to work hard, enjoy life, polka, waterski, and make a great old fashioned.

Elroy is survived by his wife of 67 years, Lorna Spreen; a sister, Bernice Hirsch (Sparta); his daughters, (Donna Zenner, Gail Spreen-Downes, Connie Spreen, Pat Peterman, Jan Strama, Jacky Budweg, and Missy Carbaugh); five sons-in-law, (Tom Zenner, John Peterman, Joe Strama, Ward Budweg, and Curt Carbaugh); 17 grandchildren; and 17 great-grandchildren.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests memorial contributions be given to Hope Hospice & Palliative Care and Casa Hogar, a home for abandoned children in Lima, Peru, directed by Msgr Hirsch.

Contributions may be mailed to Lorna Spreen, 525 Leila Circle, Medford, WI. Please write checks to Casa Hogar Juan Pablo II.

Paid Obituary 155519