Lois Clara Bartley Spencer

Lois Clara Bartley Spencer, 89, of Wamego, Kansas, died Saturday, August 17, 2024, at Via Christi Hospital in Manhattan. She was a long-time resident of the community. 

Lois was born April 22, 1935, in Kincaid, Kansas, the daughter of Russel and Gladys (Stapleton) Adams. She attended grade school and graduated from La Harpe, Kansas High School. She then attended Iola Community College, then on to Kansas State University. She received a degree in home economics and a master’s degree.

Lois was a County Extension Agent and worked for the Jackson County Extension Service. She later worked for the Extension Service at K-State. She was also a substitute teacher. Lois was a member of the United Methodist Church and also attended Mt. Calvary Lutheran Church in Wamego. She was a member of the American Association of Family and Consumer Science, the GFWC Wamego Study Club and the Daughters of the American Revolution. She loved doing genealogy research and listening to audio books. Lois also enjoyed sewing, playing Bridge, Dominos, and Cribbage, and traveling. Lois enjoyed square dancing and fellowship with family and friends. Her passion was 4-H, and was very active in all areas, especially the Geology Project, serving as a leader and fair judge for many years. 

Lois married Gary Eugene Bartley on June 19,1960, in La Harpe. They shared their lives together for thirty-nine years. He preceded her in death on July 12, 1999. Lois then married Albert Spencer December 28, 2012. For over eleven years they enjoyed their retirement together. Al survives at their home. 

Lois is also survived by her sons, Stanley Bartley (Beth Blasdel), Council Grove, and Jon Bartley, Wamego; step-children; Reverend Lynn Spencer (Donna), Bentonville, Arkansas, Debbie Bearnes (Tim), Laurel, Nebraska, and Carmen Autry (Steve), Chattanooga, Tennessee; granddaughter; Ansley McEntire (Coby), Weatherford, Texas; and great-grandson, Roczen McEntire; sister-in-law, Ruby Adams and niece, Patricia Adams; as well as numerous step grand and great-grandchildren. Lois was also preceded in death by her parents, a brother, Russel Adams, Jr., and a niece, Cathline Adams.

Funeral services will be held at 9:30 am, Saturday, August 24, 2024, at Mt. Calvary Lutheran Church in Wamego. Reverend Jim Price will be officiating. Burial will follow at 2:30 pm, at Lone Elm Cemetery in Lone Elm, Kansas. Lois will lie-in-state on Friday, beginning at 3:00 pm, at Campanella and Stewart Funeral Home, where the family will greet friends from 6:00 pm until 8:00 pm. They suggest memorial contributions to Pottawatomie County 4-H Foundation to be used for leader training, and those may be sent in care of the funeral home. Online condolences may be made at www.campanellastewart.com.