Frances M. Spears
Frances M. Spears
Frances M. Spears
December 7, 1924 – October 20, 2016
Oskaloosa (Hedrick), Iowa | Age 91
Frances M. Spears, 91, of Oskaloosa and formerly of Hedrick, died Thursday, October 20, 2016, at the MHP Hospital in Oskaloosa. She was born December 7, 1924, in the family home near Hedrick, Iowa, the daughter of Clay B. and Icel Mae Hawthorne Campbell.
Frances was baptized at a young age at the Martinsburg United Methodist Church.
She attended Lone Tree Country School and went on to attend Competine Township High School. While in school Frances was active in musical operettas, played forward on the basketball team and was the carnival queen her Jr. year.
On January 16, 1941, she was united in marriage to Kenneth D. Spears at Lancaster, Missouri.
Following their marriage, they moved to a farm east of Fremont. They later moved to a farm northeast of Martinsburg that was owned by her aunt Minnie Campbell. As most young brides did, when Kenneth joined the armed forces to help in the war effort, Frances moved in with her mother and father during his service overseas. In February of 1956, they moved north of Hedrick.
Frances worked part time at Graham’s Department Store in Sigourney during the Holiday season. She also worked at the Hedrick Grocery Store from 1963-1989. She last worked part-time at Le Gift Store in Hedrick.
Kenneth and Frances took great interest in the youth of rural Keokuk County. They would host high school age kids in their home so they could complete their high school careers.
Frances has been keeping scrapbooks since 1938, and enjoyed collecting many items including, owl figurines, spoons, thimbles, cups, pens, keychains, and matchbooks, among other things. The two of them enjoyed 29 continuous years of camping at the Iowa State Fair and 31 years camping at the Old Thresher’s Reunion in Mt. Pleasant. They also enjoyed working at the Old Threshers on the train, in the information booth. Frances also enjoyed taking bus trips with friends.
Kenneth died September 18, 2007. On June 26, 2008, Frances moved to Oskaloosa.
Frances attended the Central United Methodist Church and Women’s Circle Christian Challenge 1. She was a member of the American Legion Auxiliary.
She enjoyed, flower and vegetable gardening, crocheting, going out to lunch with family and friends, cleaning, family genealogy, and attending neighborhood club. Her home was always spic and span and perfectly decorated for every holiday.
Her family includes her two children and their spouses: Jim (& Mary) Spears of Hedrick, and Jone (& Dennis) Molyneux of Rose Hill; three grandchildren: Janean (& Curt) Dimmig, Annette (& Joseph) Roe and Devan (& Fiancé B.G. DeGeest) Lamberson; 5 great grandchildren: Triston, Talon, Ty Roe, Cauyer, and Tieron Lamberson.
In addition to her husband, she was preceded in death by her parents.
Funeral services will be Monday, October 24, 2016, at 10:30 a.m. in the Fremont Funeral Chapel in Fremont with Reverend Bill Hornback officiating.
Burial will be in the Memorial Lawn Cemetery in Ottumwa. The Fremont Funeral Chapel is in charge of the arrangements.
Visitation will begin Sunday after 11 a.m. in the Fremont Funeral Chapel and the family will be present from 1-3 Sunday afternoon to greet friends and relatives.
Memorials may be made to the Frances Spears Memorial Fund.
