SPENCER, Benna (nee Bartells) 1923-2003

SPENCER, GRAHAM, BARTELLS

Posted By: County Coordinator
Date: 2/13/2009 at 11:17:05

OSAGE, IOWA - Benna Spencer, 80, of Osage, died on Friday, September 26, 2003, at St. Mary's Hospital in Rochester, Olmsted county, Minnesota, of a sudden illness.

She was born on April 10, 1923, in Sacramento, Calif., the daughter of Henry Harrison and Grace (Graham) Bartells. Benna was raised in Streator, Illinois. She graduated with a B.S. degree in nursing from the University of Iowa where she met her husband, William A. Spencer. They were married June 15, 1946 in Streator, Illinois.

They moved to Washington, D.C., where Dr. Spencer completed two residencies in surgery and general anesthesia, and where Benna worked as an RN in an OB/GYN clinic. They moved to Osage in 1957. While raising her family, she also found time to be involved in the American Red Cross Blood Bank, the American Red Cross, and Girl Scouts. They wintered in Naples, Florida, and spent summers in Iowa City.

Benna loved family and friends and always had a witty comment to welcome, comfort or entertain.

Funeral services will be private. Visitation will be held from 6 to 8 p.m. Sunday at the Champion-Bucheit Funeral Home, 702 State St. in Osage.

She is survived by her husband, William A. Spencer, M.D., of Osage; three daughters, Polly Horton and Douglas of Iowa City, Marian Buff Spencer and her husband, Ralph Moschella, of Hopkinton, Mass., Deana Chisholm and her husband, Mark, of Osage; two sons, William A. Spencer II of Des Moines, and Ned Spencer and his wife, Kristi, of Estero, Fla.; six grandchildren, Susan Horton, Ben Horton, Nicholas Moschella, Christine Moschella, Brooke Ann Spencer, and William A. Spencer III (Treye).

She was preceded in death by her parents.

Arrangements are by Champion-Bucheit Funeral Home, Osage, Iowa; (641) 732-3706.

[Mason City Globe Gazette, Sept. 26, 2003]