Arnold “Arnie” N. Spike, age 81, and Lila J. Spike, age 76, of Maple Lake, and formerly of rural Buffalo and Minneapolis, passed away due to injuries from an automobile accident. Arnold died on June 3 and Lila on June 1. Arnie was born in Maple Lake Township to Gustav and Ruth (Peterson) Spike on Nov. 22, 1931. He was baptized at Carlslund Swedish Evangelical Lutheran Church in rural Buffalo. He was confirmed in the Christian faith at Zion Lutheran Church in Buffalo. In 1951, he started working at Ralston Purina in Minneapolis, where he stayed until his retirement in 1993. Arnie enjoyed working in the garden, raising beef and chickens, hunting and fishing. For 50 years, the cabin he built on Platte Lake with the help of family was a favorite gathering place for family and friends. Lila was born on June 7, 1936, in Young America Township to Henry and Amalia (Brelje) Debner. She was baptized at St. John’s Lutheran Church in Plato. Lila was also confirmed in the Christian faith at St. John’s Evangelical Lutheran Church in Buffalo. On June 19, 1953, Lila married Arnold Spike at St. John’s Evangelical Lutheran Church in Buffalo. God blessed their marriage with five children. Shortly after their marriage, they moved to Minneapolis, where they lived until moving to a small hobby farm south of Buffalo in 1970. In 2003, Arnie and Lila moved to Maple Lake. Lila’s biggest joy in life was her family. Her happiest times were spent with her husband, children and grandchildren. She especially enjoyed holidays when the family gathered at her home. Arnie and Lila would have celebrated their 60th wedding anniversary on June 19, 2013. They were survived by children: Deb (Don) Steiskal, of Monticello, Sandy (Doug) Steiskal, of Isanti, Larry (Sue) Spike, of Buffalo, Lori Schneider, of Brainerd, and Lisa Spike, of St. Michael; 18 grandchildren; 23 great-grandchildren; and many nieces and nephews. Arnie and Lila were preceded in death by their parents; a son-in-law, Craig Schneider; and by a granddaughter, Julie Steiskal. Arnie was preceded in death by three brothers and a sister. Lila was preceded in death by four sisters and a brother. Funeral services for Arnold and Lila Spike were 1 p.m. Monday, June 10, at St. John’s Evangelical Lutheran Church in Buffalo. Interment followed at Lakeview Cemetery in Buffalo. A visitation was on Monday, June 10, one hour prior to services at the church. Casket bearers for Lila were Bob Steiskal, Ben Steiskal, Adam Czanstkowski, Aaron Czanstkowski, Tony Schneider and Larry Gordon. Casket bearers for Arnold were Joe Steiskal, Susie Steiskal, Tabitha Newman, Jeff Schneider, Anthony Czanstkowski and Josh Schneider. The Peterson Chapel in Buffalo served the family. Online condolences may be made to www.thepetersonchapel.com
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