Dec. 14, 1928 — Aug. 12, 2017
On a late fall day in 1928, in the shadow of Virgin’s willows and cottonwood trees, Doris was welcomed into the arms of her loving parents Karl and Lenora Barney Spendlove. A little more than a stone’s throw away, the Virgin River flowed, bringing life to the seemingly inhospitable barren landscape of Virgin, Utah. Just a few steps away from there on Water Street, Doris would grow into a beautiful woman surrounded by her mom and dad and nine siblings. Life here in this pocket of the Virgin River was never easy as the world might see it, but love and family always thrived.
Within that small home in 1947, Doris would gleefully tell her family that Clair had asked her to be his bride. Their marriage was solemnized in the St. George Temple of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, setting a lifelong pattern of service to their Creator and Savior.
Just like the life-giving Virgin River, Doris spent a lifetime coaxing and nurturing life and beauty from the barren landscapes of Virgin, La Verkin and Las Vegas. Doris always displayed the special ability to create life and beauty from some of the most unsuspecting places, whether it be her delicate roses and lilacs, or her vegetable garden. But Doris’s most prized achievement was her family. Along with Clair, her eternal companion of nearly 69 years, Doris raised their wonderful family of five children.
Just a year and a half ago, Clair bid his sweetheart Doris farewell for a season. On Aug. 12, 2017, Doris this time bid farewell to the loved ones surrounding her for a season, and once again entered the arms of Clair.
Doris loved her family. She loved the little corner of heaven that she and Clair built together. She loved spending her final years in their dream home in Washington. She was a dear wife, mother, grandma and friend. The lives she touched are immeasurable.
So, until we meet again mom, we will miss you.
Doris is preceded in death by her sweetheart, Clair Ruesch; her parents, Karl and Lenora Barney Spendlove; her siblings: Melva, Mildred, Rowena, Roland, Linden and Etta. She is survived by her siblings: Eugene (Frances), Waldo (Winnie) and Priscilla (Varl); her five children: Terry Lanier, Kathy Harris (Steve), Jackie Stocks (Bill), Gayla Ruesch and Reymond Ruesch (Cheryl Ann); in addition to grandchildren: Shaun, Julianna, Vanessa, Zachary, Jeremiah, Aaron, Hillary, Oren, Anna, Willie, Mary Ellen, Nikolas, Benjamin, Alexander and many great grandchildren.
Funeral services
- Funeral services will be held Saturday, Aug. 19, at 11 a.m. at the Washington Stake Center, 486 E. Mangum Road, Washington, Utah.
- Visitations will be held Friday evening from 6-8 p.m. at Metcalf Mortuary, 288 W. St. George Blvd. and Saturday, prior to services, from 9:30-10:30 a.m. at the Stake Center.
- Interment will be at the Virgin Pioneer Memorial Cemetery around 1 p.m. on Saturday, after which family and friends are invited to return to the Washington Stake center for lunch.
Arrangements have been entrusted to the care of Metcalf Mortuary, 435-673-4221.
For condolences, full obituary, and funeral listings please visit Metcalf Mortuary online.