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Hildred Marie Spence, 101

Hildred Marie Spence, 101, of Marshalltown, IA passed away Wednesday, September 8, 2021 at the Iowa River Hospice House in Marshalltown. Funeral services will be 11:00 a.m., Wednesday, September 15, 2021 at Anderson Funeral Homes in Marshalltown. Visitation will be 10:00 a.m. until the time of the service. Interment will take place at Colo Cemetery in Colo, IA. Online condolences may be sent to www.andersonfhs.com.

Hildred (Shenkle) Rae Spence was born on a farm north of Collins, IA, to William and Orva (Beals) Shenkle on March 12, 1920. She Was the third oldest of twelve children. She would get up early to help her father with chores and milking of 13 cows by hand before walking to Prairie Flower School that was a one room country school. On June 1, 1941 she married Edwin A. Rae of Colo, where they lived their married life. They had three children, Donald, Sheryl and Pam. A devoted homemaker, her family always came first. Often there were homemade noodles and always homemade pie for Sunday dinner. Her children remember coming home from school being greeted with hot chocolate and freshly baked goodies. Santa cookies were a must at Christmas time with everyone helping to decorate them. When the children were small, she made most of their cloths either by hand or using a singer treadle sewing machine. She made drapes, curtains, and many quilts for their home. One year she made seven grandchildren teddy bears out of feed sacks from companies in the areas where each of them was born.

Ed passed away in 1979. In May of 1984, she married Lowell Spence of Marshalltown. They lived on a farm in Madison County. In 1994 they moved back to Marshalltown. Lowell passed away in June of 2003. In March of 2017 at 97 Hildred fell and broke her hip. After her recovery she was able to return home and lived alone with a lot of help of Pam and family. Hildred was a member of the United Methodist Church, the Colo Good Earth Garden Club, and the Colo Chapter of the Eastern Star. In past years she worked at the Donnelly Corporation in Nevada and Home Furniture in Ames, IA. A long-time antique collector and dealer, she collected many types of things including a large elephant collection. She loved decorating her home, especially for the holidays and summers spent time on her deck enjoying her beautiful flowers and a cup of tea. She cherished the times she was able to spend with her seven grandchildren, ten great grandchildren, and five great-great grandchildren. She was always interested in their activities. Hildred was also a huge fan of all Iowa College Football and Basketball teams.

Hildred is survived by her son; Donald (Jeanne) Rae, daughters; Sheryl (Mike) Bertrand, Pamela (Dave) Damman, grandchildren; Gina, Jason, Monica, Nick, Chris, Travis, Sara, great grandchildren; Amber Brooke, Garret, Grant, Taylor, Bennett, Davis, Hayden, Brady, Avery, great-great grandchildren; Ryder, Greysen, Huxley, Tyler, Madalyn, and sisters; Jean, Shirley and Sherry. She was preceded in death by her parents; William and Orva, husbands; Ed and Lowell, sisters; Francis Berniece, Arlene, Jane, and brothers; Bill, Frank and John.

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