"Our hearts go out to you in this your time of loss and sorrow. At times like this very few words can be said that provide comfort and hope. At Daniel 12:2 we read,"And many of those asleep in the dust of the earth will wake up, some to everlasting life and others to reproach and to everlasting contempt." May these words be of strength and hope for you and your family as they were for ours. JR"
In loving memory of
Edward W Speer
October 27, 1929 - February 24, 2016
Dr. Edward W. Speer
Edward Wendell Speer, DVM, long-time Stanwood veterinarian, died February 24, 2016 at Mercy Hospital, Cedar Rapids, IA with his family at his side. Visitation will be held at Stanwood Union Church on Sunday, February 28 from 11:00am - 2:00pm, with the Funeral Service immediately following. Burial and Graveside services will follow at Stanwood City Cemetery with a luncheon at Stanwood Union Church immediately following. Online condolences may be shared at www.fryfuneralhome.com.
Ed was born October 27, 1929 and raised on the family farm in Clearwater, Kansas, son and eldest child of Effie Rae (Bump) and Levi Wendell Speer. He attended a one-room school elementary, graduated from Clearwater High School, then went on to graduate from Kansas State University School of Veterinary Medicine in 1952. While at Kansas State he was an active member of the Farm House fraternity.
After veterinary school Ed served in the U.S. Air Force Veterinary Corp from 1952-1954 as Base Veterinarian at McConnell AFB, Wichita, Kansas. He then relocated with his family to Stanwood, Iowa in Nov 1954 where he established a sole veterinary practice until retirement in August, 2008. Ed practiced veterinary medicine in Stanwood for 58 years. For several years he also maintained a second office in Olin, Iowa.
Ed married Lenora J. Melzer in Topeka, Kansas on June 20, 1952. They are the parents of four children, Thomas, Bradford, Kristin, and Kymberly. Ed was active in the community and served as President of the Lincoln Community School Board, was a member of the Stanwood Town Council and a volunteer fireman, and was a member of many other local civic organizations. As Scoutmaster, he led a troop of area boys to Philmont Scout Ranch in Cimmaron, NM, in 1970, and again to the Boundary Waters Canoe Base in Ely, Minnesota, in 1971. Ed also was active in various state veterinary associations, and was a past President of the Eastern Iowa Veterinary Medical Association, Board Member of the Iowa Veterinary Association, and a lifetime member of the American Veterinary Medical Association.
One of Ed's greatest interests outside of his family and veterinary work was flying. A private pilot, he owned and flew a Cessna 195, the "family bus", for flights in the midwest, south, and southwest U.S., and as far north as Timmons, Ontario in Canada. He later converted the same plane to fly sport parachute jumpers for a few summers based out of the Tipton airport.
Ed is survived by his wife Lenora, married for nearly 64 years, sons Thomas (Kathy Long) of Poulsbo, WA and Bradford (Janet Allison) of San Diego, CA, daughters Kristin (Richard Morgan) of Belmont, CA and Kymberly (Charles Cuda) of Lafayette, CA, seven grandchildren and three great-grandchildren, and sisters Laura Varney of Manhattan, KS and Klonda Speer of Princeton, NJ. He was preceded in death by his parents and sister, Dorcas Severence.
Ed was devoted to his family, and beloved by his veterinary colleagues and many friends.
Memorials may be made to the Stanwood Union Church, or choice of the donor.
Tributes
"I am so sorry for your loss. Dr. Speer was always great to my dad, in responding quickly to care for dad's many animals. Dad spoke so highly of the doctor. With deep sympathy to the family. Nancy "Hanks" Martin"
"Lenora, Kris, Kym, Brad and Tom, I am deeply saddened to hear of your loss. Doc made a lot of trips to my folk's farm over the years, whether for livestock problems, or pets. We always knew they were receiving the best care. Your family was always involved with music and sport while we were in school. He had a big heart. He will be greatly missed. I hope your many memories can help you through this difficult time. Our thoughts and prayer are with you."
"Dear Lenora and Family, I am so sorry for your loss. My thoughts and prayers are with you at this difficult time. Love, Marlene"
"Dear Lenora and family. We want to extend our sympathy to all of you. Dr Speer was a very caring veterinarian as well as a great person."
"Hello Lenora, Family, And Friends, This is Cardinal Rieger and on behalf of the Rieger Family in New Mexico--Bobbie, Cardinal, and Tonna (Burgos)--our thoughts are with you. Sending warm hugs your way!"
"Lenora and Family-I am so sorry for your loss. Doc was my family's vet as I was growing up and he taught me so much about veterinary medicine. I remember working calves while the radio played the ISU/K-State football game. We had fun razzing each other. He will be greatly missed. I will always value everything he taught me about cattle."
"Lenora / family, we are so sorry for your loss. We pray that God will give you strength / comfort in the days ahead...we are in Ajo,AZ / my sisters just notified us of Ed's passing. Please know that you are in our prayers. "
"Dear Speer Family: Sandy and I want to express our deepest sympathies. Ed was such a neat person and we always found him to be warm, friendly, humorous and knowledgeable but he also carried himself as real "man's man" and it looked like he could handle any situation he faced. Please know how much we care."
"Dear Lenora and all your dear family, Our hearts are sad with you and our thoughts and prayers are with you for today & the days ahead. How we wish we could personally share in your dear Ed's funeral service & be together for loving Hugs of sympathy, caring, and so many precious memories. "Blest be the tie that binds"..and all the oh so special togetherness that the bond of "Veterinarians" has given us. Your Ed was dear to us & all in so many ways, and he will be greatly missed & remembered..with smiles and thankfulness for the together years & times & all he gave. Till we can be together..our heartfelt Sympathy is with you now Lenora. God's Loving Blessings a'plenty to you all.. Love, Ila & Glen "
"Doc taught our children how care for and love their animals in a special way"
"Lenore and family.Doc was the best there was nothing doc could not do.I cannot count the number of times he would come out in the middle of nite to help me out.Jan would ask Ed what he would charge her to casterate her tom cats over the years and doc would say jan do you want the hood of the pickup price or the office price needless to say it was always the pickup price.I can truly say there will never be one like him."
"Doc was soft spoken and very friendly. He will be missed in Stanwood."
"Lenora and family, Doc was our family vet for over 40 years. No matter what the weather conditions, day or night, Doc would come on calls to treat our livestock. He was a great vet and friend, we will miss him."
"Doc had such a gentle way with animals & pets. He softened the blow of putting a dear family member to rest. Paul was on the School Board along with Doc and they shared many of the same views. I was so happy to visit with both Doc & Lenora at the wonderful Reunion just last year. Sending warm sympathy to the family."
"Dear Lenore and Family, As we read this, the tears welled up but then we both said "do you remember the time...?" and the laughter broke out! You two were so kind to us as we started our practice and for all the years that followed. Ed was one of a kind and we were so blessed to know him. Our thoughts are with you all."
"Lenore and family we send our sincere condolences for loss of your husband and father. He was well known for his veterinary work all over the county and will be missed by many."
"Dear Lenore and family, please accept my family's heartfelt condolences during this difficult time. Doc was such a pillar of the Stanwood community, and for me, a wonderful neighbor. He always had a smile and a hello when I would pass by their house. I even got to watch him treat some animals from time to time. He always let me climb their tree, it was much more achievable than the ones in our yard. Most recently, almost 4 years ago, my 4 children were lucky enough to meet Doc and hear the neighborhood stories of long ago. And of course we had to put pennies on the tracks near their house. My kids, like me, were also shocked by the sad news but I am comforted in knowing he lived a rich and full life surrounded by family and friends. Thanks Doc for the great neighbor you were to me. May God grant you rest and peace. Lenore and family, I pray you will be given the strength to get through these times. "
"A kind and compassionate man, making you a kind and compassionate vet. Thank you for taking care of our dogs over the years. It was always enjoyable listening to you and Bob Coppess talk about your adventures, very entertaining."
"For most of the time that we lived in Olin, Doc Speer was our vet for our dogs, cats and horses. He could give a horse an injection so smoothly, they didn't even know he did it. He always called us to let us know when he was going to be in town just in case any of the animals needed a vaccine or checkup. He truly loved all animals and was a nice to everyone. I will always have fond memories of Doc."
"Lenora and Family, I have some fun memories of babysitting for the kids when you and Ed went to veterinary meetings or conventions. I do remember making spaghetti for supper one night and, not knowing how much spaghetti to use, I think I made enough for several nights worth of supper. I also remember Doc coming out to save a young mare who jumped over a picket gate made out of 2 X 4's. Somehow she got off the gate, but then had an artery that needed to be stitched back together. Doc got a rope around her legs so she went down to the ground and he could repair the artery. Teri (Meyer) Comstock was spending the night when this happened. We both thought we wanted to go into nursing. Teri was enthralled by all that was going on, and I wasn't. Teri went on to be a nurse, and I decided to find a different career. So you could say that that horse and Doc helped me not become a nurse. I still have two horses and know the value of a great vet. So glad I got to see all of you at the reunion dinner last summer. You have a wonderful family, and Doc will be missed by all the people he helped as a veterinarian, community leader, and friend."
"Lenora and family, You will always hold a special place in my heart as I remember well when Mom worked for you. Sending prayers and thoughts "