Thelma June Spees
January 13, 1928 - April 19, 2019

Thelma June Spees, 91, of Keokuk, died on Good Friday, April 19, 2019, at River Hills Village in Keokuk.
She was born Jan. 13, 1928, in Kahoka, Mo., the daughter of Roy Edmund and Nellie Opal (Groseclose) Hall.
Thelma was raised on the family farm outside Downing, Mo.
On July 30, 1944, she was united in marriage to Richard Ray Spees at the Methodist parsonage in Downing. He preceded her in death April 3, 2016.
Thelma and Richard and their oldest child, Larry, settled in Keokuk in 1946. Thelma worked at Sheller-Globe and Keokuk Credit Bureau.
She was a firm believer in Jesus Christ and was an active member of First Baptist Church in Keokuk for more than 60 years. She taught Sunday school to 3- and 4-year-olds for more than 50 years, volunteered at Vacation Bible School, served as a deaconess and was a member of the American Baptist Women. Those who knew her will remember her servant's heart and the joy she found in ministering to others.
More recently, Thelma and Richard were members of Silver Point Baptist Church in Silver Point, Tenn. She and Richard lived with their daughter, Kathy, and her family in Buffalo Valley, Tenn., for 3 ½ years, moving back to Keokuk in August 2015.
Thelma was an avid quilter and seamstress. She made quilts for all of her children and grandchildren, and was a member of the Tri-State Quilters. She enjoyed canning much of the produce she raised in the garden she and Richard tended. She was well known for her cookies and candies, and was frequently found cooking and baking in the kitchen at home or church. She was the family photographer, often carrying her camera during family gatherings and vacations.
Most importantly, Thelma was a guiding influence in the lives of her children and grandchildren. She loved spending time with them, and made sure they never went home hungry.
She is survived by a brother, Donald (Grace) Hall of Keokuk; two daughters, Trudy (David) Mahannah of Ludington, Mich., and Kathy (Brian) Sorenson of Buffalo Valley; a daughter-in-law, Nancy Spees of Keokuk; six grandchildren, Matthew (Kathleen) Mahannah of Chanhassen, Minn., Joshua (Julia Sapir) Spees of Waynesboro, Va., Justin Hutchison of Buffalo Valley, Jacqueline Mahannah of Sarnia, Ontario, Canada, Ryan Hutchison of Palm Bay, Fla., and Megan (Jared) McNeill of Urbandale; eight great-grandchildren, Rebecca and David Mahannah of Chanhassen, Nico and Willa Spees of Waynesboro, Lillie and Britaney Hutchison of Buffalo Valley, and Alex and Joseph Concisom of Sarnia; and many nieces and nephews.
In addition to her husband, she was preceded in death by her parents; son, Larry; and a grandson, Jonathan Spees.
Thelma's family is grateful to the staff of River Hills Village, who provided compassionate and attentive care.
Visitation will be held at 11 a.m. Monday, April 29, at DeJong-Greaves Celebration of Life Centers, 917 Blondeau St., Keokuk, with the service following at 1 p.m. at the funeral home with Pastor Jim Richardson officiating. Thelma will be laid to rest in Oakland Cemetery in Keokuk.
In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to Friends of Keokuk Animal Services (FOKAS) or God's Way Christian Center.
DeJong-Greaves Celebration of Life Centers is in charge of arrangements.

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