Caryl Spencer
Caryl Spencer
Carlisle, Iowa – . Caryl Spencer, 73, of Carlisle, died Thursday, November 24, 2011, at the Taylor Hospice House in Des Moines. She was born September 16, 1938, at Wright, Iowa, the daughter of Henry and Cornelia Van Gilst Van Veldhuizen. She graduated from the Lacey High School with the class of 1957. On September 17, 1965, she was united in marriage to Lee Spencer at Bethel Christian Reformed Church in Oskaloosa. In 1968 they moved to Carlisle. Caryl worked at Mercy Hospital in Des Moines intermittently for over 30 years. She started there as a nurses aide, then worked in dietary, and lastly was a patient companion. She retired from Mercy in 2010, when her husband fell ill and she needed to devote her time to his care. She was a member of the Bethany Reformed Church in Des Moines. She enjoyed playing Mexican Train Dominos, and would not play if she could not be the “yellow train”. She also enjoyed quilting with the Carlisle Quilt Group and cheering for the Iowa Hawkeyes football and basketball teams.
She is survived by her husband Lee Spencer of Carlisle; four sons: Doug Spencer and Kevin Spencer both of Des Moines, Jason Spencer of Knoxville, and Jeff (& Jennifer) Spencer of Ankeny; four grandchildren: Bethany, Jacob, William, and Joshua Spencer; two sisters and their husbands: Erma and Merle Nunnikhoven of Pella and Mary and Gene Van De Kieft of Oskaloosa; two brothers and their wives: Dale and Linda Van Veldhuizen, and Marvin and Judy Van Veldhuizen all of Oskaloosa; a sister in law: Rosie Van Veldhuizen; and many nieces and nephews.
She was preceded in death by her parents, and two brothers: Larry at a very young age, and Ronald Van Veldhuizen.
Funeral services will be held Monday, November 28, 2011, at 10:30 a.m. in the Bethel Christian Reformed Church in Oskaloosa with Reverend Todd Rempe officiating. There will be a family prayer service at 10:15 Monday morning, in the fellowship hall of the church. Burial will be in the Evergreen Cemetery at Leighton. The Bates Funeral Chapel is in charge of the arrangements. Visitation will begin Sunday after 10 a.m. in the Bates Funeral Chapel and the family will be at the funeral chapel on Sunday afternoon from 2-5 to greet friends and relatives. Memorials may be made to the American Cancer Society or Animal Rescue League of Iowa.
