Clara Marie Spencer

FLANAGAN - Clara Marie (Rients) Spencer, 95, of Flanagan, passed away on Wednesday, July 22, 2026, at Goldwater Care Nursing Center in Pontiac.

Visitation will be from 4:00-7:00 p.m. on Sunday, July 26, 2026, at Calvert & Johnson Memorial Home in Flanagan. The funeral service will be held on Monday, July 27, 2026, at 11:00 a.m. at St. Petri Lutheran Church in Flanagan, with visitation also held one hour prior, from 10:00-11:00 a.m. Pastor Pete Heinrich will officiate. Burial will follow at St. Petri Cemetery.

Memorials may be made to St. Petri Lutheran Church or LifeWise Academy Flanagan chapter (292 E. 2000 N. Rd., Flanagan, IL 61740).

Clara was born in Pontiac, Illinois, on February 3, 1931, the daughter of Otto and Ida (Post) Rients. She married Donald Spencer at St. Petri Lutheran Church in Flanagan on December 12, 1953. He preceded her in death in 1986.

Surviving are her children, Craig (Ellen) Spencer of Flanagan, Diane Spencer (Gary Victorine) of Western Springs, IL, and Brian Spencer of Flanagan; grandchildren, Steven (Jessica) Spencer, Mathew (Sarah) Spencer, Eleanor Spencer, Benjamin Spencer, Anna Victorine (Wes Croom), and grandson-in-law, Alex Victorine; and three great-grandchildren, Evelyn, Isaac, and Wyatt Spencer.

She was preceded in death by her parents; brother, Orville Rients; sister, Alice Lutjens; and granddaughter, Claire Victorine.

Clara graduated from Maple Grove Grade School and Minonk High School. She was a lifelong member of St. Petri Lutheran Church in Flanagan, where she was very active with the Sewing Ladies and funeral committee. For many years at harvest, she worked as the scale lady at the Spires elevator for Martin Bros. Grain and Ruff Bros. She enjoyed going to her grandchildren’s activities and found new excitement in the energy of her great-grandchildren. She loved watching the birds out her kitchen window while she baked cookies and treats for all those she loved. She was a quiet and steady presence in the lives of those who loved her and was looking forward to her eternal life in heaven.