Obituary of Marie Ella Van Spengen

Marie Van Spengen was received into the presence of our loving Lord and Savior Jesus Christ at the age of 79, at Lanark Lodge in Perth, Ontario, on March 21, 2026, following a cancer diagnosis a little over one year prior to the Lord calling her home.  She was loved dearly and will be greatly missed by family and friends.  

Marie came to the knowledge of Jesus Christ as her personal Savior at an early age, and she found him to be a true and loving Shepherd, her comfort, and provision for the way.  She was able to put her name in that beloved Gospel verse, “For God so loved Marie, that He gave His only begotten Son, that if Marie would believe in Him, she should not perish, but have Everlasting Life” (John 3:16)    According to God’s Word, “all have sinned, and come short of the glory of God” (Romans 3:23).  It provides great comfort and joy to also know that “God commendeth His love toward us, in that, while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us” (Romans 5:8), and “Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ, and thou shalt be saved” (Acts 16:31).  Marie knew that there is no other way of salvation than through God’s mercy and grace alone.  “Not by works of righteousness which we have done, but according to His mercy He saved us” (Titus 3:5).  “For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves:  it is the gift of God:  not of works, lest any man should boast” (Ephesians 2:8-9)  Based on the beautiful assurance of God’s Word, we know and are comforted that Marie is now “with Christ, which is far better” (Philippians 1:23), and will never be separated from Him who loves us, and gave Himself for us (Galatians 2:20).  She was redeemed with the precious blood of Christ (1 Peter 1:18-19).

She is survived by her husband Karl Van Spengen, her sons Karl (Phyllis) Van Spengen, and Dale (Lois) Van Spengen, five grandchildren, Valerie, Katie, Anna, Samuel and Stephen Van Spengen, and her eldest sister Yvette Tessier of Sturgeon Falls, Ontario.

We wish to express our sincere thankfulness to the staff at Lanark Lodge, as well as the Perth and Smiths Falls District Hospital, for all the kind care provided by everyone who looked after Mom during her times of need. 

At her request, there will be a private graveside memorial for her for immediate family at the Franktown Cemetery. Arrangements are in the care of Blair & Son Funeral Home, Smiths Falls.