Pauline E. Spence Obituary (1916 - 2015)

Pauline E. Spence, age 98, passed away on Saturday, September 26, 2015, at the P.E.O. Home in Beatrice, NE. She was born October 28, 1916, in Norcatur, Kansas, to Frank Silas Walters and Hallie Hicks Walters. Pauline married Lillard Pratt July 30, 1939. Captain Pratt was killed in action in Europe February 22, 1945. Sons David and John were born of that marriage. She then married Robin A. Spence December 26, 1950. Robin's daughters Jane and Ruth joined the growing family. Son Robin and daughters Linda and Elizabeth were born of that marriage. The family resided in Beatrice and were members of the First Presbyterian Church. Robin was Gage County Extension Agent and a breeder of Registered Angus cattle, and passed away March 14, 1975. Pauline graduated in 1938 from the University of Nebraska-Lincoln in Home Economics and taught home economics in Albion and Stapleton, NE, Torrington, WY, and Fort Collins, CO. She was a P.E.O. Member since 1945. Her volunteer work included: Laubach Reading, a program for teaching adults at the State Home how to read; PTA where she was awarded with an Honorary Lifetime State membership, and the Presbyterian Women presented her an Honorary Lifetime membership for years of mission work. Pauline served in most of the offices of Chapter FM, P.E.O. and as President for two years, served the First Presbyterian Church three years as an Elder and three years as Sunday School Superintendent, and the Martin Luther Home Faith in Action program and Meals on Wheels. Pauline was an excellent cook. She loved to read and became an expert on Nebraska grasses and weeds. She was a lifelong sewer and made intricate quilts for everyone. She also made stained glass lamps and objects for everyone in her large family and for friends. Pauline was the memory bank of the many family histories and was never without an illuminating story. She will be missed, but forever loved. Survivors include her children Jane Peters of Lincoln, David Spence and wife Cruz of Flagstaff, Arizona, John Spence of Lincoln, Ruth Tiemann and husband Jim of Lincoln, Linda Spence of Littleton, Colorado, Robin Spence and wife Mary Jane of Steinauer, NE, and Elizabeth "Betsy" Kisling and husband Don of McAlester, Oklahoma; 15 grandchildren; 18 great grandchildren; 2 great great grandchildren. She was preceded in death by parents Frank and Hallie (Hicks) Walters; husbands Lillard Pratt and Robin Spence; brothers Ralph, Virgil, Leonard and Chester, sisters Velma and Virginia, and son- in- law Alexander R. "Bob" Peters. A Celebration of Life service will be held at 11:00 AM Tuesday, October 20, 2015 at the First Presbyterian Church in Beatrice with Rev. Dr. Jimmy Shelbourn officiating. Inurnment will be at 2:00 PM Tuesday, October 20, 2015 at the Crab Orchard Cemetery. There will be no viewing or visitation. A memorial has been established to the P.E.O. Home in Beatrice with the funeral home in charge. A family prayer service will be held at 10:45 AM Tuesday at the church. Sign Pauline's online guest book at www.ghchapel.com. These services have been entrusted to the Griffiths-Hovendick Chapel in Beatrice.