Lynn Spencer

Funeral services for Lynn Spencer of Wadena will be held at 11:00 AM on Friday, May 9, 2014 at St. John Lutheran Church in Wadena with Reverend Stephen Meltzer presiding. Friends may call on Thursday from 5:00 until 8:00 PM at the Johnson-Schuller Chapel in Wadena and again on Friday from 9:30 AM until the time of services at the church. Lynn passed away at the age of 76 years on Saturday, May 3, 2014, at his home in Wadena surrounded by his loving family. Lynn was born February 15, 1938 to Stuart and Jennie (Randall) Spencer in Orton Township, Wadena County, MN. He attended country schools in northern Wadena County until the eighth grade. His education continued with high school in Menahga, the Dunwoody Institute in Minneapolis and the Technical College in Wadena. At the age of 60, Lynn received his GED, graduating from high school two days before his eldest grandchild’s graduation. At a young age he helped an uncle at the Auction Barn in Wadena. He worked on the family farm and helped his dad in home construction and logging. He was baptized and confirmed as an adult in 1958 at St. John Lutheran Church in Wadena, where Lynn was also united in marriage with Carol Goedel in 1960. They made their home in Fridley and Blaine. He worked for Graco in Fridley until 1972. They bought a farm east of Nimrod, sold it in 1979, and lived in rural Wadena County before settling in Wadena in 2007. He was a DHIA supervisor for southern Wadena County for many years. He also worked as a logger, painter, turkey farmer, plumber’s helper, and mold maker, and retired as a machinist from Homecrest in 2000. Lynn always loved the outdoors! Growing up he played baseball alongside adults on the Huntersville Horseflies and Nimrod Gnats teams and later several church softball leagues. Favorite pastimes included hunting, fishing, camping, boating, and snowmobiling. He enjoyed playing cards and dice and spending time with family and friends. From learning the woodworking craft from his dad, Lynn spent several years making and selling his quality hand-crafted items. Many became treasured gifts for Carol, their family, and friends. A favorite memory for his grandkids and great-grandkids will be the stash of candy he kept for them! Lynn volunteered as a fire fighter, Webelos leader, snowmobile safety instructor and snowmobile club president while in Blaine. He served on various Lutheran church councils before becoming a member of St. John Lutheran Church in Wadena in 2007. Lynn was preceded in death by his parents Stuart and Jennie; brother Lyle; sisters Bonnie Kraemer and Donna Roiko; and niece Colleen Hegg. Lynn is survived by his devoted wife Carol; children Gregg (Emmy) of Verndale, Lynette Anderson of West Fargo, ND, Jeff (Valerie) of Belle Plaine, and Corey (Sherri) of Willmar; 15 grandchildren & 13 great-grandchildren; brothers Dave (Gywn) of Nashville, TN, and Larry (Mary) of Zimmerman; sisters Ann (Paul) Strong of Apple Valley and Ruth Sanders of Hopkins; along with numerous nieces and nephews. Pallbearers will be Gregg Spencer, Jr., Dustin Spencer, Brandon Spencer, Ryan Anderson, Nate Spencer, Jack Spencer, Jay Veronen and Tom Dalen. Burial will be in Wadena Cemetery.

Lynn Spencer

February 15, 1938 - May 3, 2014