August Spies, Jr. was born January 14, 1937, to the late August and Anna (Braun) Spies, Sr. on the family farm in rural Graham County, KS. He passed away Thursday, December 1, 2011 at his home in rural Graham County near Morland at the age of 74.


As a child, he attended country schools in Graham County. He was a farmer and stockman and retired in 2009.


Auggie was a member of the St. Anthony Church and a Third Degree Knight in the Knights of Columbus in St. Peter.


Auggie loved ranching and farming. His greatest pride was his herd of Charolais cattle. He enjoyed hunting and fishing with his brothers and nephews. He loved fishing for catfish. Auggie had a passion for polka dancing at his nieces and nephews' weddings and aggravating the girls.

He is survived by three daughters, Dodie Swenson of Wichita, Gail Thimesch of Goddard, Susan Sneath of Haysville; ten grandchildren; two brothers, William 'Bill' Spies and wife, Karen, of Arvada, CO, Wilfred Spies and wife, Lillian, of Morris, OK; four sisters, Martina Werth of Hays, Margaret Billinger and husband, Adolph, of Zurich, Ablena Billinger and Elaine Cisneros, both of Omaha, NE; brothers-in-law, Wilbur Knoll and Doug Partch; a sister-in-law, Betty Spies; and many nieces and nephews.


Two brothers, Celestine and Daniel Spies; two sisters, Anna Knoll and Glory June Partch; and brothers-in-law, Ralph J. Werth and Pete Billinger, preceded him in death.

A Vigil Service will be 7:00 PM Tuesday at Schmitt Funeral Home in WaKeeney with visitation to follow. Services for Auggie will be 10:00 AM Wednesday, December 7, 2011 in Christ the King Catholic Church with Father Donald Pfannenstiel officiating. Interment is in St. Anthony Cemetery, St. Peter.

Memorials are suggested to St. Anthony Cemetery and can be sent in care of Schmitt Funeral Home, 336 N 12th, WaKeeney, KS 67672.