Thursday October 13, 2016

Saturday evening, October 8, 2016 after our plane arrived in Salt Lake City and we visited with all of our children and grandchildren we had Trevor and Nichole drive us straight to Lois's house.  Lois took Reed's Mom there to stay until she passes away.

It was so sad to see Reed at his mothers bedside sobbing away.  He feels so bad that he will not be able to sit and talk with her and tell her about our mission.  It was nice to visit with some of his brothers and sisters which we haven't seen for two years.

We went home exhausted, glad to be home yet sad to see Reed's Mom like that.

Reed went out to visit with Lois and to be with his mother every day.  On Thursday, October 13, 2016, at 5:10 p.m. Reed's Mother took her last breath while Reed was sitting in the bedroom holding his mother's hand.  We will really miss her but are so glad she is no longer suffering.

We were so glad we did not wait until our original release date which would have been the 14th of October to come home.   Reed would have missed this time to sit with his mother and just be with her.

We held her viewing at Myers Mortuary on Monday, October 17, 2016.  It was very nice to visit with family and friends.  It was nice for Reed and his siblings to hear all the kind words about his mother.  She was always very service and caring oriented.

On Tuesday, October 18, 2016, we held her funeral at her church building on Rushton in Ogden, Utah.   We had some very dear friends and family members come to pay their respects and support Reed and his family.  It was a nice service and good weather for the funeral and burial at the Ogden cemetery.

Margaret and Lois (Reed's two remaining sisters)

Reed and his siblings.
Front row:  Lois, Reed, Margaret
Back row:  Ben, Don, Ken, Scott

Reed's siblings and all their spouses at the graveside.

Brynlee, Nada and Justin walking to find DeLeuw's grave.  She is Nada's sister who passed away while we were serving our mission.  Justin knew where it was and was showing Nada.

Clay, Becky, Kay, Artie, Trevor and Nichole at the luncheon back at the church.

Lois, standing, Zack, Addi, Jaki, Will, Nada and Brynlee

Family and close friends eating the luncheon the good Relief Society sisters fixed for us after the funeral.

Jane, Sally and Aibree

Emma, Kate, Lana, Noah, Kanyon, Bryce and Jane.  The children and grandchildren have been so supportive and loving.  We feel so blessed to have such a wonderful family.

We will miss Laurel Clara Bowen Spencer, Reed's Mother, but we know we will see her again.

We are so grateful to have served our mission and be able to come home and be here with the family during this special time.  This will be our last post since we are home to stay for a while.  We will report on the 30th of October, 2016, and then our mission will be complete.

We love you all.  Signing out for the last time from our New Zealand Mission.

Elder and Sister Spencer (aka) Reed and Nada!