Victor Thomas Spanel

Victor Thomas Spanel passed peacefully, surrounded by his family on Father's Day, June 17, 2018.  Born and raised in Anselmo Nebraska, to Frank Spanel and Caroline Konell, Victor was the second oldest of 6 children. Entering the Army at the age of 19, he served his country, in WWII.  In 1949, Victor married Elaine Allen and started a family in Broken Bow, Nebraska.  In 1964, along with his wife and two children (Kurt and Leslie), Victor moved to El Centro, CA, where he continued to serve as a Veteran's Affairs Officer, until his retirement in 1989. 
Victor was a devoted family man and took pride in tending for those he loved.  He took care of his beloved wife Elaine, until her passing in 2003. Following his daughter Leslie's death, in 2006, Victor moved to Santa Ana, CA (along with his grandchildren Kristy and Austin) to live with his son (Kurt) and family.  Victor loved his daily crossword puzzles, and watching Jeopardy and Wheel of Fortune. He was a history buff and loved collecting coins. He cheered for the local sports teams, and most importantly, was a die hard Nebraska Cornhusker, GO BIG RED!      
Victor is survived by his son and daughter in law: Kurt and Betty Spanel; brother, Andy Spanel; grandchildren, Brian Spanel, Kayla Spanel, Kristy Clark, and Austin Clark; great-grandchild, Kadence Leslie Gallegos, and his dog Triton. While our time together, in this world is over, the memories that we have of our loving father and "popo" will forever live in our hearts; and so he will live on through the memories of his cherished family and friends.
Friends and family are welcome to attend the Rosary on Thursday, June 21 - 7 p.m. at Brown Colonial Mortuary, 204 W 17th St, Santa Ana, California, 92706. A funeral mass will be celebrated on Friday, June 22 - 9:30 a.m. at St. Joseph Church, 727 Minter Avenue, Santa Ana, California, 92701.
 

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