Van Ross Spencer, 70, passed away November 6, 2018, at his home in Sugar City, Idaho. He was born November 1, 1948, in Mesa, Arizona, the son of Richard Dick and Lorena Tietjen Spencer.
Van was raised in Bluewater, New Mexico, and lived there most of his life. In 2012 he married Jacquelyn Hansen Spencer and moved to Sugar City, Idaho.
Van was a member of the Church of Jesus Christy of Latter-Day Saints. He served a mission in the Great Lakes Michigan Mission. He served in numerous callings in the Church throughout his life including many years in the Scouting program, as a branch president two separate times, as a ward clerk, teacher, and many other positions. His love of the Gospel was evident as he tried to be a good example and serve to the best of his ability wherever he was called.
Van always worked hard to provide for his family and taught them by his example the value of hard work. He could always be counted on to give one hundred percent to anything he undertook. He will always be remembered for his example of service to his family, church, and community. It was important to him to show his love and support to his family by striving to attend all their important events.
Van was a man who always gave and gained the respect of those around him through his honesty, integrity and kindness. Van enjoyed learning and strived to continually increase his knowledge through coursework, seminars, and personal research. Van was admired for his ability to face his challenges without complaint and with a quiet determination to move forward with hope and optimism.
He pursued various vocations as he strived to support his family from mining mechanic, to farmer, to owner and operator of a NAPA Auto Parts store, to work with the water board for Bluewater Village in New Mexico, to Facilities Manager for the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints.
He will be missed greatly by his wife, Jacquelyn Hansen Spencer, and his five children, Amanda (Todd) Parry, Kristie (Mark) Emery, Thone (Sarah) Spencer, Dustin (Sarita) Spencer, and Dallas (Dawn) Spencer, as well as his five step children, Marissa (Julio) Pineda, Matthew Genta, Collin (Hilary) Hanson, Preston Hanson, and Hayley (Bryan) Grover. He is also survived by 35 grandchildren, 1 great granddaughter and seven brothers—Danny, Phil, Ray, Steve, Stan, David and Mike.
Van was preceded in death by his parents, and brother, Dick.
Funeral services will be held at 11:00 a.m., Friday, November 9, 2018, at the Sugar City 7th Ward building, 6 North Teton Avenue, Sugar City, Idaho. The family will receive friends Thursday evening from 5:30 to 7:00 p.m. at Flamm Funeral Home in Rexburg and then from 10:00 to 10:45 a.m. at the church prior to services. Interment will be in the Sutton Cemetery in Archer, Idaho.