Jean Kathryn Spencer, 98, of Burlington, Iowa, died Thursday, October 16, 2025, at the Klein Center in West Burlington.
Born December 1, 1926, in Capac, Michigan, she was the daughter of Howard A. and Kathryn Dana Smith. She graduated from Capac High School in 1944 and attended Michigan State University earning her AA degree.
She married Lowell E. Spencer on July 17, 1948, in Capac, Michigan. He died on May 7, 2005.
Jean taught at a country school for one year and was a homemaker. She was a member of Oak Street Baptist Church for over 60 years where she served as a Deaconess, Trustee, and on the Finance Commission. She was a life member of the Order of the Eastern Star, Richmond Chapter, Michigan.
She loved golfing, both at Flint Hills and Spirit Hollow with the ladies’ leagues, bowling on the J.I. Case Wives bowling league, bingo, and snowmobiling in Colorado. Her greatest joy was doing for others. This includes being a Cub Scout Den Mother and a member of the PTA when her children were younger and volunteering at the hospital in Burlington for several years.
Survivors include her four children; Dean (Mary Alltop) Spencer of Chicago, Illinois, Brian (Cheryl) Spencer of Long Grove, Illinois, Lowell (Julie) Spencer of New Hope, Minnesota, and Scott (Theresa) Spencer of Elmira, Michigan; grandchildren, Justin (Angie) Spencer, Jennifer (Marco) Weil, Melissa Spencer, Amanda (Matthew Callahan) Spencer, Jerrod (Chelsea Schnabel) Spencer, Christopher (Breanna) Spencer, Thomas Spencer, Dana (Tyson) Bossow, Jeffrey Anderson, Andy (Aubrey) Anderson and Tina (Jason) Davis; great grandchildren, Olli, Dante, Layla, Zoya, Isaac, Tatum, Blaketon, Isabella, Alivia and one great-great grandson Amir.
She was preceded in death by her parents, husband Lowell, daughter Renee, three brothers and infant sister.
Visitation will be held from 9:00 a.m. until 11:00 a.m. Thursday, October 23rd at Lunning Chapel, where the family will receive friends. The funeral service will be held at 11 a.m. on Thursday with Pastor JudyAnn Morse officiating. Burial will be held at Ferguson Cemetery in Almont, Michigan.
In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to Shriner’s Children Hospitals in Chicago at www.shrinerschildren.org or PO Box 947765 Atlanta, GA 30394 and specify the Chicago location. Donations to the Salvation Army at www.salvationarmyusa.org would also be welcomed.