Ella Ann Spencer

Ella Ann (Johnson) Spencer, 80, of Afton, WY, passed away on July 1st, 2018 with family and friends by her side. She was born on June 23, 1938 in Smoot, WY to Orson and Cora Johnson. She was the fifth of six children. She was raised in the Smoot area. Ella Ann grew up as a farm girl, where she spent most of her time outdoors doing her favorite things, which were; riding horses and helping her dad on the farm. As a child, she attended schools in Smoot and later graduated from Star Valley High School. After graduation, Ella Ann attended LDS Business College in Salt Lake City, UT. Later on, while working in UT, she met her eternal sweetheart, Kurt Spencer. They were married on September 8, 1961 in the Salt Lake LDS Temple. Ella Ann tirelessly worked many jobs to help put Kurt through school at Utah State University. Upon completing his degrees, they lived one year in Thermopolis, WY. Then, they finally settled in Star Valley, where Kurt taught school and Ella Ann began her career at the Star Valley State Bank, where she worked for many years. Ella Ann's greatest love in life was her family. She was truly happy doing anything with Kurt, her boys, Mike and Tod, and her daughter-in-law, Karla. She especially loved to travel and discover new places and things. Ella Ann was a great lover of horses. She enjoyed raising them, riding them, and racing them. It was always a very special day to be with her family at the horse races where she could watch her Quarter horses and Thoroughbreds run. Ella Ann was a faithful, lifelong member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints. She was also a great example of generosity and kindness. She enjoyed playing church volleyball and city volleyball, where her teams won several championships. Later on in life, she enjoyed taking long walks with family and friends. Ella Ann is survived by her sons, Mike Spencer, and Tod (Karla) Spencer, two sisters, Shurma (Monte) Merritt, and Marie (Burdette) Kearl, grandchildren, Andrew (Juli) Stevens, Nathan (Cindy) Stevens, Suzanna (Jesse) Snedden, Ben (Melissa) Stevens, Daniel (Heather) Stevens and Molly (Nick) Anderson, 18 great grandchildren, and 8 great great grandchildren. She was preceded in death by her mother and father, her husband, Kurt, sisters, Venna (Dick) Kennington, Raeona (LaDee) Smith, a brother, L A (Atha) Johnson, and a grandson, Tony Stevens. Mama Ella Ann, we will miss you greatly, but our tender memories and thoughts of your love and compassion will remain with us. You will always be in our hearts. Viewing and services will be as follows: Viewing at Schwab Mortuary, Friday, July 13th from 6:00 pm to 8:00 pm Viewing at Star Valley LDS Tabernacle, Saturday morning from 11:30 am to 12:45 pm Funeral Services at Star Valley LDS Tabernacle, Saturday afternoon, beginning at 1:00 pm The family would like to express their deepest gratitude, appreciation and thanks to the staff and caregivers at Heritage Home in Rexburg, ID for their compassion, love and unfailing care, which was given to our mom. We also want to thank Rexburg Home Health and Hospice for their genuine concern and caring for mom at the end.

Viewing: Friday July 13, 2018 6:00 PM
Funeral: Saturday July 14, 2018 1:00 PM
Burial: Saturday July 14, 2018 2:30 PM