Donna W. Spencer

Donna W. Spencer, age 91, of Iron River, MI, passed away on Thursday November 3, 2022, at the Iron River Care Center. She was born on July 4, 1931, in Alpha, MI, the daughter of the late Jacob and Louise (Gollakner) Schaal. She attended and graduated from the Stambaugh Schools, with the Class of 1949. She then attended the Iron River Business School. She started her career as an accountant with Proksch Lumber Company and then worked for various other businesses, retiring from the Miners State Bank, after 19 years of service. Donna married Russell L. Spencer on June 16, 1951, at St. Peter’s Lutheran Church and the couple made their home in Iron River. They celebrated 62 wonderful years together, before Russell’s passing on December 10, 2013. She was a member of St. Peter’s Evangelical Lutheran Church of Iron River, and St. Peter’s Evangelical Ladies Aid, serving as Treasurer for 30 years. She enjoyed planting flowers, gardening, baking, and cooking. Donna is survived by her daughter, Donnalee (David) Carlson of Caspian, MI; grandchildren, Carrie Ann Bess, Michelle Lee Chernach, and Michael David Carlson; great grandchildren, Tessa Daugherty, Gardner Bess III, Russell Gardener Bess, and Braylee, Jordi and Collins Chernach; great great grandchildren, Kinsley Glass, Emerie Connell, and Forrest Bess; nephews, Charles “Butch” (Reinelle) Dennis, Duane (Gretchen) Dennis, and Jim “Smokey” (Sandy) Dennis; special niece, Renee Studebaker; lifelong friend, Wilma Hilberg; special friend and neighbor, Koren Perlongo; extended family and friends. She was preceded in death by her sons, Dane, Jacob, and Russell Spencer and sister, Mary Lou Dennis. Visitation will be held Wednesday, November 9, 2022, from 9:30 a.m. to 11:00 a.m. at the Jacobs Funeral Home. A funeral service will follow at 11 a.m. with Rev. Norman Greve to officiate. Pallbearers will be Jim, Duane and Charles Dennis, David and Michael Carlson, and Tom Hilberg. Interment will be in Resthaven Cemetery. In lieu of flowers the family suggests memorial donations to St. Peter’s Evangelical Lutheran Ladies Aid. To order memorial trees or send flowers to the family in memory of Donna W. Spencer, please visit our flower store.