Velma I. Spence

Velma I. Spence, formerly of Newton, passed from this life Sunday, June 12, 2016, at Sun Rise Hill Care Center in Traer.

Velma, 98, was born March 28, 1918, near Eadsville, Ky., the daughter of Albert Lee and Dora Pearl (Turner) Burton. She was a graduate of the Kellogg High School and later attended a year at the Iowa State Teachers College in Cedar Falls. She taught rural country school for a short time. On Dec. 30, 1939, Velma was united in marriage with Earnest Roy Spence in Cedar Falls. To this union three sons were born, Irvin, Dean and Marlyn. For more than 30 years, they lived near Laurel, where she helped her husband farm. She had also lived a few years in Waterloo. Velma moved to Newton in August 1993, from Chandler, Ariz., where she had lived for 15 years.

Velma was a good wife, mother and grandmother, devoting her life to her family. She was a member of the Laurel United Methodist Church.

Velma is survived by her two sons, Irvin Spence of Denton, Texas and Marlyn Spence of Traer; a daughter-in-law, Cindy Spence of Newton; her five grandchildren; six great-grandchildren; and two great-great-grandchildren; a sister Mabel (Alexander) Kadet of Pearce, Ariz.; and many friends. She was preceded in death by her parents; her husband, Roy Feb. 2, 1981; her son, Dean Feb. 17, 2005; a sister, Edith Findley in March 1999; and a brother, Clarence Burton in January 2011.

A time of remembrance and the funeral service will be at 11 a.m. Thursday, June 16 at the Pence-Reese Funeral Home in Newton. Visitation will be at the funeral home one hour prior to the services. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be left in Velma's name with her family or a charity of your choosing. Online condolences may be left at www.pencefh.com.