Elizabeth Louise Spanel

Elizabeth Louise Spanel, nee Pratka, of Houston, passed away January 3, 2025 at her home in the care of her son, Greg. She was raised in Ganado, TX on a farm and attended Ganado High School, graduating early at the age of 16. She and her favorite cousin, Laurine Sless Davis, then moved to Houston to attend secretarial school, where she excelled. Soon after graduating, she went to work and met Albert Spanel at a dance and he was instantly smitten. When Albert joined the Army and was to be deployed to Korea, he begged her to marry him before he went overseas. Elizabeth, always practical and not wanting to become a widow before her time, told him that once he returns, she would be his wife. They married in 1953 at the Sacred Heart Cathedral in downtown Houston. Albert who preceded Elizabeth in death told his daughter, Deborah, that he would never survive without her. Theirs was a devoted and loving marriage that lasted until Albert passed away on the morning of their 60 th anniversary.
Elizabeth was a good cook and a skilled seamstress who made all of her children's clothing when they were young. Besides her oldest, Deborah, she also bore two sons, Gregory and Patrick. She was always home to greet them when they came home from school, providing them and Albert a stable home life. She always had a nourishing and tasty meal waiting, keeping the menu fresh by periodically trying new recipes. Her pralines and candy popcorn balls were always a hit during the holidays.
Elizabeth is survived by her three children, a son-in-law, Carey Weber,and a daughter-in-law, Lourdes Spanel. She was the proud great grandmother of thirteen great grandchildren. She is also survived by her brother, Daniel Pratka and his wife Jane, and several nieces and nephews.
Visitation will be held at Unity Funeral Home, 7730 Boone Rd., Houston, Tx 77072 on Wednesday, January 15, 2025 from 4:00 to 7:00 P.M. Catholic Mass will be on Thursday, January 16, 2025 at Notre Dame Catholic Church, 7720 Boone Rd., Houston, Tx 77072. Mass time is scheduled at 11:30 am. Funeral home will arrive at Notre Dame Catholic Church at 10:30 A.M. for a one hour viewing prior to mass. Following mass, procession will lead everyone to Houston National Cemetery for the burial which is scheduled at 2:00 P.M.
Unity Funeral Home gives the family and friends of Elizabeth Louise Spanel our deepest condolences at this difficult time.
To send flowers
to the family or plant a tree
in memory of Elizabeth Louise (Pratka) Spanel, please visit our floral store.