Paula R. Sprotte

Paula R. Sprotte, age 75, of Beaver Dam, died peacefully on Thursday, December 26, 2024 at Clearview Nursing Home in Juneau, WI.

The memorial gathering will be at Koepsell-Murray Funeral Home in Beaver Dam on Saturday, April 26, 2025 from 10:00 a.m. until 11:00 a.m. The memorial service will follow at the funeral home on Saturday at 11:00 a.m. with Rev. Chris Davis officiating. Inurnment will be at Oakwood Cemetery.

Paula Rae was born on June 13, 1949 in Beaver Dam, Wisconsin to Merlin and Norma (nee Earle) Sprotte. Prior to attending Wayland Academy, she received the Monarch Scholarship. Upon graduation from Wayland Academy in 1967, Paula went on to obtain her bachelor’s degree in Nutrition and Spanish Literature at Grinnell College in Grinnell, IA. Paula married Paul Robert Hodierne on August 30, 1972 in Minneapolis, MN. Paula began her career learning the culinary profession in Stillwater, MN. In the next step of her professional career, Paula served as the first female executive at the historic Tabard Inn in Washington, DC. During her career Paula served as Executive Chef/Chef/Owner at numerous hospitality venues and restaurants throughout the United States. Eventually, Paula came back to Beaver Dam to be closer to her family and enjoyed making memories with her siblings and their families.

Paula enjoyed her travels to Mexico, loved music, reading, and socializing with friends at the Jersey Shore. Over time Paula amassed a collection of cook books to compliment her career as a chef.

Paula will be missed by her siblings, Laurel Rittenhouse of Beaver Dam, Joanne Sprotte Webber (Paul Hartzheim) of Beaver Dam, and her step-siblings Linda (Larry) Verlinden of Manitowoc, Clarence Rupnow of Beaver Dam, Nancy (Rod Kreimeyer) Wollenburg of St. Petersburg, FL, and Mary Wollenburg of Fox Lake; many nieces and nephews; other relatives and friends. She was preceded in death by her parents; step-parents, Cora (nee Voss) and George Wollenburg; and brother-in-law, Leland Rittenhouse.

A very special thanks to the staff at Clearview Nursing Home in Juneau, WI for the great care and treatment they provided to Paula during her struggles with Huntington’s Disease.