Ethaline Marie Schlee Specht, passed January 19, 2026

• A viewing will be held Wednesday, January 28, 2026 at Hillcrest Memorial Home, 601 Hwy 80 East, Red Chute LA from 12 noon until closing, please sign our book.

• Graveside Services will be held at Priddy Texas, on Friday January 30, 2026 at 10 AM in St. John’s Lutheran cemetery, conducted by Pastor Mark Schimmel of Zion Lutheran Church, Priddy Texas.

Ethaline was born on October 15, 1927 at Priddy Texas, to John and Walda Kunkel Schlee. She was the eldest of five children. She married the love of her life Robert E. Specht on April 23, 1949, at Priddy, Tx. 

Ethaline was preceded in death by her loving husband of almost 57 years, Robert E. Specht; Her parents, John A. and Walda Kunkel Schlee; sisters and spouses: Rubeline and Robert Lubke; Charline and Homer Smith;  Marilyn and Jimmy Seider; brother, John William Schlee; Ethaline’s beloved son, Don as well as Don’s wife Sabrina Specht; and one great grandson, Nolan Lee Karan of Parker CO.

Ethaline is survived by: One sister in-law Janice Schlee of Clyde, Texas; Two of her three sons, Rex & Teresa Specht of Parker CO, and Jay L. Specht of Haughton LA; Four grandchildren; Christopher and Stacy Specht, Elise and Caleb Cain, Rachel and Matt Karan, Sydney and Scott Ware. Ethaline was blessed with seven more great grand children; Cameron L. Specht, Aimee Specht Rockey, Emily Specht, Aaron Cain, Liam Ware, Hayden Ware, and Aubree Karan. Ethaline always loved and spoke with great affection of her children, grand children, and great grand children. She is also survived by many nephews, nieces, great nephews and nieces and great, great nephews and nieces and cousins.

Ethaline graduated from Priddy High School and attended Business College in Abilene, Texas where she met Robert E. Specht. Ethaline Worked in Accounting for 35 years. She wrote 2 Family History Books (Kunkel and Schlee) and was working on her third. Research resulted in travels across Texas; to Library’s, Court Houses and visits with long ago relatives she had not seen in years. Ethaline throughly enjoyed the adventures enabled by authoring family histories. She also enjoyed quilting and collecting dolls.

Ethaline was a devout and faithful church worker, sang in the choir from 14 years of age. She taught Sunday School for 40 years, served as chairman of Women (ALCW) both local and The Northeast Texas Conference and was known for decorating church functions. Throughout her life, Ethaline’s Church was intricate to her existence.

Although all her sons contributed, once Don passed on in 2021, primary aid came from one source: The family wishes to especially thank Jay Specht of Haughton, LA, who carried that weight and responsibility for mother’s care for the final years of her life. 

Thank you, Jay.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests memorials be made to the Immanuel Lutheran Church Building Fund, 2565 Airline Dr., Bossier City, La. 71111; St John’s Lutheran Cemetery, Box 6, Priddy, Texas 76870, or to the Charitable cause of the donors choice.