Mae Spiesschaert was born August 1, 1918 in Hillsboro, Oregon the daughter of Frank and Ella (Narrup) Vanaken. She was raised on the family farm on Purdin Road in Forest Grove, Mae attended Purdin School, Visitation Grade School and graduated from Forest Grove High School.

She was united in marriage to George Spiesschaert on September 10, 1940 in Cornelius, Oregon. Following their marriage they made their home north of Verboort where they farmed for three years, until moving back to her family's farm in 1943. Except for the three years right after her marriage, Mae lived in the same house from the age of nine months until her death, a span of eighty-two years. Mae was preceded in death by her husband, George, on August 18, 1984 after celebrating nearly forty-four years of marriage.

Mae was a homemakers and farmer's wife. She was a lifelong member of the Catholic Church having attended Visitation Parish where she volunteered many hours over the years at the annual Sausage and Saurekraut Dinner, selling raffle tickets for the handmade quilts and working n the pie pantry. Mae faithfully attended church and supported the Visitation School through her children and grandchildren.

Among her many interest, Mae enjoyed playing bingo gardening, flowers, canning, baking pies and cooking for her family plus cooking for the many threshing and harvest crews over the years. She enjoyed traveling, having taken several trips including an Alaskan Cruise, as well as trips to the Oregon Coast, Arizona, Reno and Mexico. Mae like to watch game shows and take an occasional trip to a casino. Mae was involved with her husband, George with their draft horses and with the local 4-H groups.

Mae was a devoted wife and mother and although she had many interests, her main focus was her family. She was famous, at least within her family, for her potato salad.

She was preceded in death by her parents and a brother, Alfred Vanaken.

Mae passed away October 17, 2003 at her home. She is survived by four sons and daughters-in-law, Darrel and Linda Spiesschaert of Eugene, Oregon; Dean and Jody Spiesschaert of Molalla, Oregon; Lyle Spiesschaert of Forest Grove, Oregon and Glen and DeLee Spiesschaert of Forest Grove, Oregon; two daughters and a son-in-law, Kay and Jim Smith of Roseburg, Oregon; and Joan Liebenroood of Portland, Oregon; a brother and sister-in-law, Delbert and Dorthy Vanaken of Forest Grove, Oregon; two sister-in-law, Mary Wyffels of Cornelius, Oregon and Martha Chiotti and her husband, Ham, of Hillsboro, Oregon.

Also surviving are seven grandchildren and their spouses, Leon and Krisa Spiesschaert of Bonanza, Oregon; Lori Spiesschaert of Salem, Oregon; Todd and Marci Smith, Tim and Michelle Smith, and Dan and Sheila Smith all of Roseburg, Oregon and Ben Spiesschaert and LIsa Spiesschaert both of Forest Grove, Oregon; two step-grandchildren, Justin Talbott of Canby, Oregon and Jenny Carter of Dallas, Texas; two great-grandsons, Casey Carter of Dallas, Texas; and Jason Nusom of Roseburg, Oregon; and numerous other relatives and friends.

The family suggest that remembrances may be contributions to the Visitation Cemetery Endowment Fund, 4285 NW Viitation Road, Forest Grove, Oregon 97116.