Vera Verdean Spencer, 84, died January 1, 2021. She was born August 9, 1936, in Great Bend, Kansas, the daughter of Edwin and Myrtle (Unruh) Rudiger. She was raised on a farm southwest of Great Bend. Vera attended country school until High School, then attended Great Bend High School. She went to Kansas State Teachers College (Emporia State University) to receive a BA and Masters of Science Degree in Education. She married John E. Spencer, of Emporia, Kansas, June 16, 1957 at Bergthal Mennonite Church in Pawnee Rock, Kansas.
She taught one year in Great Bend, Kansas and 35 years with USD 259 in Wichita, Kansas, while also owning and managing three Spencer's Day Light Donut Shops with her husband. Vera was an avid fan and supporter of her grandchildren's endeavors. She was very active in several organizations including Association of Childhood Education, Kappa Kappa Iota, Alpha Delta Kappa, Beta Sigma Phi, NEA, Wichita and Kansas Associations of Retired School Personnel, AARP, Holding Local and International Offices in several. Vera was also very active in the Disciples of Christ Christian Church, being a member of Riverside Christian Church, New Creation Christian Church, First Christian Church and Hillside Christian Church through the years. She held state and local offices in the Christian Women's Fellowship (CWF). Vera volunteered at the Veterans Administration Hospital in Wichita and was an advocate for the Kansas Christian Home. She was a member of the Midwest Polka Club of Kansas and Polk of A Kansas Chapter, and American Historical Society of Germans from Russia (AHSGR).
Vera was preceded in death by her parents; husband of 41 years, John E. Spencer; and sister, Doreen Crooks. She is survived by her daughter, Leslie Peters and three grandchildren, Brittani Peters (Fiancé, Matthew Brandt) of Springhill, Kansas, Brianna (Austin) Armstrong of Wichita, Kansas and Nathan Peters of Lenexa, Kansas.
Funeral service will be held at 2:00 p.m. on Thursday, January 7, 2021, at Resthaven Mortuary, 11800 W. Hwy 54, Wichita, Kansas 67209.
Memorials are suggested in Vera's memory to the Kansas Christian Home, 1035 SE 3rd Street, Newton, Kansas 67114.
