Mary Lou Spencer was born in Estherville, Iowa on February 20, 1927 the daughter of Lucian and Esther Thomas. She grew up in Iowa and graduated from high school. She was united in marriage to Elden Spencer on April 29, 1950, and together they raised four children. They moved to Emerald, Wisconsin on December 17, 1957 and operated a dairy farm there. She will be fondly remembered by her family for her special Sunday chicken dinners. She was a collector of salt and pepper shakers all of her life, and no two were alike. They retired from farming in the mid 1980's when their son took over the farm. They moved to Deer Park, Wisconsin where they made their home. She was a member of St. Paul's Lutheran Church and its ladies group. Mary Lou enjoyed working at the election polls and did so for many years. Mary Lou died at Region's Hospital in St. Paul, Minnesota on Sunday, December 18, 2011 at the age of 84 years.
She was preceded in death by her parents and several brothers and sisters. Her survivors include her husband Elden; children: Dennis Spencer, Linda Spencer, Mike LeDuc (Shirley) and Deanna (Chris) Gehrke; 18 grandchildren, 31 great grandchildren; sister Betty Lindsey as well as other relatives and friends.
Funeral services will be held on Wednesday, December 21, 2011 at 2:00 p.m. at St. Paul's Lutheran Church in Deer Park. There will be a visitation time for the hour prior to the service at the church.