Charlotte Rita Spond

Charlotte Rita Dippel Spond, 94 years old, was born on August 27, 1930. She passed away peacefully, surrounded by her family, on February 10, 2025. Charlotte was born to John and Annette Dippel in Evansville, Indiana. She was the seventh of nine children. They lived at 1925 Bellemeade Avenue in Evansville. Charlotte attended St. Benedict Catholic School and Ritz Memorial High School. There was Mass every day before school started and you needed to be in the pew kneeling before the Priest arrived. As the summers were hot and humid in Evansville, Charlotte and her sisters would often sleep outside under the stars. They spent hours jumping rope, roller skating, hopscotch and playing baseball. During her senior year in high school, Charlotte took a job at Wesselmans Sooper Market, across the street from Evansville College. Charlotte was working there when she met Dale, a handsome young man who had just moved into a house across the street from her home. The year was 1951. They started dating, mostly on Saturday nights. They would walk to the movies. There were always brownies to enjoy after the movie. Charlotte invited Dale to attend Mass with her and that was his first introduction to the Catholic faith. Dale proposed to Charlotte on Valentines Day 1953. They were married on January 16, 1954 while Dale was in the army. They were assigned to Ft. Bragg, North Carolina, and were living there when Lois was born. They made good friends and had a good time playing cards as Charlotte would always make donuts with powdered sugar for dessert. They returned to Evansville to finish school as Judy was born there in 1956. A move to Cincinnati, Ohio in 1957 brought Rich in 1957 and Don a year later in 1958. The family resided then in Florida from 1960-1962 before the final move to Colorado in 1962. Charlotte took classes in crafts where she learned to make beautiful pictures from shells found on the beach. Three more sons were born to Charlotte and Dale in Colorado. Ken, born in 1963, John, born in 1965, and Tom born in 1968. Charlotte was an excellent bowler and bowled many years in a league. Charlotte loved sports, especially football. She was the greatest fan of all. Charlotte was a devoted member of the Catholic Church. She attended St. Frances Cabrini Parish, in Littleton, Colorado for more than 50 years. She especially loved arriving early to Mass for her quiet prayer time. She spent hours a day praying for her family. 

Charlotte was preceded in death by her loving husband, Dale Spond in April 2023. She is survived by her seven children: Lois, Judy, Rich (Pam), Don (Jan), Ken, John (Carmen) and Tom (Kelly). She is also survived by her 16 grandchildren: Angie, Mike (Brooke), Kristy (Jason), Seerie, Grace, Ryan, Jill (Matt), Julie(Kirt), Danny (Madeline), Alex, Jackson(Jessie), Jason, Evan, Calvin (Kate), Tyler (McKenzie, and Zack. Charlotte also had 22 great grandchildren and one great great grandchild. 

A Rosary for Charlotte is planned for Tuesday, February 25 at 7:00 pm at Horan & McConaty on S. Wadsworth Blvd. A Funeral Mass will be held on Wednesday, February 26, at 11:00 am at St. Frances Cabrini Church in Littleton, Colorado. Burial will follow at Ft. Logan at 2:00 pm. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Cabrini Food Pantry in Charlotte's memory. Charlotte was a big supporter of feeding those in need.