Doris Karen Spencer

On the life-changing day of December 17, 2025 Angels came for our precious mother and grandmother, Doris Karen (Stonebraker) Spencer, to guide her on the path she so richly deserves and reunite her with so many eager to embrace her in heaven. Doris lived 82 years, enriching those around her. As Doris embarks on her next great adventure, we reflect back on a life lived with love and caring, always shown through her Mama Bear's love.

Doris was born January 28, 1943, to Verla Wall and Robert Stonebraker in Evanston, Wyoming, where she grew up and attended school. Her mother, Verla, was later married to John Clingingsmith, who was a father figure to Doris for much of her life. Doris met, fell in love with, and was married to Benito Lovato for a short time. They had one son, Dave Spencer. Doris later married her lifelong sweetheart, Paul Spencer in 1962, and was a devoted wife and partner to Paul for 56 years. They had 5 children together, Brenda Schultz (Jackson), John Spencer (Shawna), Steve Spencer (Carla), Cindy Maestas (Jody), and our baby sister Debbie Atkins (Tom). Doris also leaves behind 15 Grandchildren and 18 Great-grandchildren.

Doris was preceded in death by her father, Robert, her mother, Verla, her sister Bobbie Lou, her husband, Paul, and her youngest child, Debbie.

Doris was the anchor of her family, holding them together, teaching love, values, and integrity.

Her entire family will remember her laughter, her amazing cooking, gardening, talented sewing, her love for dancing, silly gifts, that little smirk she would get when she wanted to pretend not to be entertained by our antics, and hugs forever.

Doris was known and loved throughout the neighborhood, and Ward as the loving mother of the Spencer Tribe, where all our friends were welcome in our home and at our table. And what a table it was, as Doris had a palate for wonderful food and especially sweets. Oftentimes, Doris was complimented on her cooking and asked for her recipes, and at “Grandma’s House” if you knew where to look, there would always be sweets stashed in abundance. Her personal favorite treats, however, were her Diet Coke and Cheesecake. Heaven forbid you came between her and them.

Her favorite local haunts were Cracker Barrel (especially the gift shop), Wendy’s (no baconator was safe), and of course, Schmidts Pastry Cottage (oh, the rumballs and marzipan.) Her primary focus and passion, though, were her children and grandchildren. She would do anything for them, whether it was to pick them up, drop them off, care for them, or lift their spirits with gifts (as is evidenced by the many disco balls she gave out). Her vast collection of Disney VHS tapes was also always a huge hit for them all.

Doris was a remarkable woman with many pursuits. She served in the Primary leadership and as Primary President for many, many years. Never one to back down from a challenge, Doris even built the Stake Float for the downtown Children’s Parade. She was also a dedicated Bingo Queen and Boss-in-Charge of Bingo at the local Senior Center. The smile she would have on her face when she came home with her Bingo prizes was priceless. During the early part of her marriage, Doris raised her children in true home-spun clothing, learning to sew. She continued with those skills to produce many wonderful costumes over the years as her children grew.

She continued to take an active and vocal role in whatever she was involved in, even leading the “Great Cookie Rebellion” at her memory care facility.

With so much to do, Doris was often in a hurry. Nicknamed Mommy-O-Andretti by her children, Doris would make sure she did all she could to get you where you needed to be, but you had better hang on during the ride.

Doris dearly loved plants and all things growing. Oftentimes, a new houseplant would show up under her care, with Doris suggesting that perhaps it had “been there all along”, but no one else had noticed. She would spend hours weeding and caring for her yard. Later in life, she would also paint little rocks with squirrels and other animals to place among her lovely plants.

Mom, grandma, great-grandma, sister, friend, we will miss you, and especially teasing with you, but we are grateful that you are finally back home. Keep up the good work and don’t let them slack off up there! We’ll bring a Rice KrispieQ treat for you when we come (just don’t tell. They say we’re not supposed to take it with us.)

The celebration and memorial for this great and humble woman, who has touched and formed so many lives, will be as follows:

Saturday, January 3, 2025

LDS Stake Center

760 North 1200 West, Salt Lake City, Utah 84116

East Chapel, please enter from the north side

9:30 - 10:00 AM Viewing

10:30 - 11:30 AM Funeral

11:45 - 12:45 PM Luncheon for immediate family

Interment will be at Evanston, Wyoming City Cemetery following luncheon.