- Date Of Birth: March 31, 1943
- Date Of Death: November 18, 2019
- State: Illinois
Gail Gene (Guentherman) Spielman, age 76, of Lake Summerset, passed away Monday, November 18, 2019, at WinnPrairie in Freeport.
She was born on March 31, 1943, in Freeport, daughter of Albert “Red” and Ione (McLenahan) Guentherman. Gail was raised in Freeport and graduated from Freeport High School in 1961. She was in nurse’s training when she married the love of her life, Dean Spielman on November 16, 1963. Gail left nursing school to raise their two sons, Michael and Mark. She kept her hand in the medical field as a receptionist for University of Illinois Medical School in Rockford and then the Durand Clinic in Durand, Illinois.
Gail’s last career prior to retirement was as a travel agent for Carlson-Wagonlit Travel (formerly Travel Agents International) which provided many opportunities for international travel including an African safari.
Along with travel, Gail enjoyed boat rides at the lake, spending time with Dean and their family and friends, reading, and, of course, chocolate, particularly pecan turtles.
For the past few years, Gail and Dean battled her Alzheimer’s with the help of many people, especially The Meadows at WinnPrairie, FHN Hospice, Comfort Keepers of Rockford, and Candice from Visiting Angels of Rockford.
Gail is survived by her husband of 56 years, Dean Spielman, sons Michael (Laura) Spielman of Phoenix, AZ and Mark Spielman of Freeport, grandchildren, Erin and Tara Spielman of Phoenix and Brianna and Dylan Spielman of Freeport. She is also survived by her brother Larry (Penny) Guentherman of Torrance, CA and loving brother and sister-in-laws, nieces, nephews, plus great nieces and nephews.
Gail was preceded in death by her parents, Albert “Red” and Ione Guentherman, in-laws Robert and Beatrice Spielman and her special friends, Sandy Giuffre, Rita Lobdell, Kathy Hively, Joan Russell, Nancy Kaufman and Marilyn Tykal.
