Paula Spilger

Paula Kay (Dahlke) Spilger was born on October 23, 1952 in Henderson, Nebraska to Peter and Tina (Willems) Dahlke. She was raised on farms in rural Central Nebraska. Paula had the wonderful experience of growing up in a loving Christian family. Perhaps that is why she accepted Jesus Christ at such an early age. When she was seven years old, she became very much aware of her personal need of Jesus Christ to be her Savior and Lord. It was during this time that she shut herself in her room and confessed her sin and asked Jesus Christ to come into her life. Through her teenage years, she had the special opportunity of attending Christian High School. She first attended Oklahoma Bible Academy in Enid, OK and then graduated from Nebraska Christian High School in Central City, NE in 1971. These were special times for her, helping her to grow in her relationship with the Lord. Being a Christian and serving Christ was both challenging and rewarding for her.

On August 8, 1971, Paula married her junior high sweetheart, Robert (Bob) Spilger at Grace Baptist Church in St. Paul, Nebraska. To this union were born three beautiful daughters, Stephanie, Sonya, and Heidi. Paula was a farm wife the first fourteen years of marriage and helped keep the farm going. Her chickens were her pride and joy. The rest of her married life was spent dedicated to serving alongside her husband Bob, as a pastor’s wife in churches in Minnesota and Iowa. She led many ladies Bible studies, taught Sunday School, directed VBS in the summer and Christmas programs and played the piano for church services. She loved hosting and always enjoyed having church family in her home.

Paula enjoyed gardening, flowers, cooking and baking, sewing, counted cross-stitching, bird watching, reading, and playing with her grandchildren. Paula Kay Spilger went home to her Savior on Friday, January 2, 2026 after a long battle with Alzheimer’s. Paula is survived by her husband Bob, her children Stephanie Porter of Ida Grove, Iowa, Sonya (Tim) Pearson of Colby, Kansas, and Heidi (Dale) Hight of Ankeny, Iowa. Grandchildren: Nathan, Will, Gabe, and Sophia Porter, Nevaeh and Gesna Pearson, and Jacob, Caleb, and Eli Hight. She is survived by her brother Dean (Cindy) Dahlke of Fairfield, Texas; mother-in-law Bettie Spilger of St. Paul, Nebraska, sisters-in-law Gayle (Arnold) Moody of Scotia, Nebraska and Jill (Dave) Sharman of Palmer, Nebraska. Multiple nieces, nephews, great nieces and nephews, and many cousins. She is preceded in death by her parents, Peter and Tina Dahlke, her father-in-law, Gary Spilger, grandparents, and great-grandparents.

Funeral services for Paula will be held on Wednesday, January 7, 2026 beginning at 12:30 P.M. at Grace Church in Marshalltown. She will be laid to rest in a private service at Timber Creek Cemetery. Memorials in Paula’s name may be directed to her family for a later designation. For additional information or to send a condolence to the family, please visit www.mitchellfh.com or call 641-844-1234.