CHICAGO - Kristin M. Spangler, 39, of Chicago, died on Thursday, Nov. 12, 2009 at Northwestern Medical Complex, surrounded by her parents and close friends, after a courageous battle with breast cancer.

Kris was born on June 29, 1970, at Fort Memorial Hospital, the daughter of John and Elizabeth Spangler. She spent her childhood in Jefferson, where her love for theater and dance performance began.

She graduated from Jefferson High School in 1988. She earned her degrees in music and theater at Illinois Wesleyan College, and her master's degree at Boston University.

She taught theater in LaCrosse at Viterbo University. Moving to Chicago, she continued her love of theater, performance arts and teaching.

She taught at several colleges. At Elmhurst College she taught and also directed plays.

Her final theater joy was directing "Carousel" this fall. She loved teaching and her students loved her. She will be greatly missed.

Kris is survived by her parents, John and Elizabeth Spangler of Lake Mills; and her three brothers, Steve (Patty) of El Dorado Hills, Calif., Rick (Wendy) of Raleigh, N.C., and Jeff (Amy) of Lake Mills; four nieces, Sarah, Amanda, Avery and Carlee; a great-niece, Ava; and a nephew, Michael.