Lawrence H. Spencer, age 75, died Wednesday, August 21, 2013, from a long battle with rheumatoid arthritis and COPD, surrounded by his family. The family will greet friends from 3:00 -5:00 pm Sunday, August 25th at Miller Funeral Home, 13th & Main Avenue. Funeral services begin at 3:00 pm Monday at First Christian Church. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be directed to First Christian Church. To leave condolences, visit www.millerfh.com.
Lawrence Harold Spencer, son of Harold and Tressa (Farr) Spencer, was born December 21, 1937 in Sioux Falls, South Dakota. He grew up in Sioux Falls and after graduating from Washington High, he attended Augustana College. Larry served in the Air National Guard from 1950 through 1969.
On January 10, 1959, he was united in marriage to Karen Doggett in Sioux Falls. The couple made their home there, where they owned and operated Spencer Furniture. He loved his work and believed in offering quality merchandise at a fair price, and service to the customer. He valued knowing and serving 3 to 4 generations of families.
He was member of First Christian Church, being Elder Emeritus, as well as serving in many areas of the church for many years. Larry enjoyed family time at the cabin at Lake Madison, hunting, fishing, and water skiing. He loved animals and particularly his dogs. Above all, he loved his family and continued to guide them through his illness.
Grateful for having shared his life are his wife Karen, his children, Susan (Dennis) Mantz, Sioux Falls,
Shelly (Ronald) Tibke, Dell Rapids, SD, Harold (Laura) Spencer, Brandon, SD, and Stephanie (Michael) Jones, Sioux Falls, his grandchildren, Anne and Paul Mantz, Kelsey (Tyler) Fischer, Kyle Tibke, Peyton, Sydney and Mia Jones, Danielle and Rachael Spencer, and his great granddaughter, Marley Mantz. Survivors also include, nephews, Randy and Rodney Jonason, and niece Sylvia Jonason, and many cousins in the area and Indiana, and finally yet importantly his faithful companion, Josie.
His parents and sister Norma Jonason, preceded him in death.