Delores Spear

Delores A. Spear, born on June 10, 1937, in Beloit, Kansas, was the only daughter to Harvey and Sophroni Donahoo.  She passed away peacefully on April 29, 2024, at the age of 86, with her daughters by her side.  Her mother passed away when she was 11 and her maternal grandmother moved in with the family to help raise Delores and her two brothers.  Delores graduated from Beloit High School in 1955.  She married Gary D. Spear on June 13, 1959, and this union lasted over 63 years. Born to Gary and Delores were three children, Terri Renee, Mark Alan and Michelle Lynn.

Delores was a talented musician and started playing the trumpet in Jr. High, which she excelled in and was often called upon while still attending high school to play "Taps" at military funerals.

Delores worked at the Mitchell County Treasurer's office, eventually serving as deputy treasurer.  While there, she formed many life-long friendships and even became a bit of a prankster to her fellow co-workers.

Her favorite vacation destination was Colorado, where Gary and Delores spent their honeymoon.  One of her last trips was visiting her oldest grandson in Colorado.  She also loved taking pictures, photographing landscapes and wildlife that won her numerous purple ribbons.  Later transitioning to her favorite subject being her grandchildren, which her family will be forever grateful for the many rolls of film that Delores snapped.  Unfortunately, she was always the photographer and not the one being photographed.

Delores had a vast love for animals, which passed down to her children.  The Spear household was often referred to as a "menagerie" by Gary, and his "no" vote to another pet was always vetoed.  Numerous orphaned bunnies and turtle doves with damaged wings were nursed back to health.

Above all, Delores adored and loved her grandchildren.  When physically able to, she attended all their events, camera in hand.  She was their biggest supporter and encourager, sitting on the front row.

The greatest lesson Delores taught her children was her selflessness.  She put everyone before herself and was always gracious in her giving.

Some might say Delores was stubborn, as her family might jokingly attest to.  But this stubbornness might have paid off, as she was a cancer survivor for over 26 years.

Delores is preceded in death by her husband, Gary, her parents, brother Harvey Donahoo, sister-in-law Elaine Donahoo, sister-in-law Leola Effland and brother-in-law George Effland.

Delores is survived by her children, Terri (Darrell) Kelley, Mark Spear, and Michelle Kadel of Beloit; 7 grandchildren, Dane (Audrey) Kelley, Westminster, CO, Matt Kelley, Lenexa, KS, Erin Kelley, Superior, CO, Colton Spear, Salina, KS, Chloe (Brennan) Blaha, Kansas City, MO, Caleb (Emily) Marshall, Salina, KS, Karody Kadel, Beloit, KS; 7 great-grandchildren, Raven and Vance Kelley, Ryder, Arkin and Leighton Spear, Lennix and Bennett Blaha.  Brother Larry (Sharon) Donahoo, brother-in-law Harold Bolte, sister-in-law Iris Bolte, brother-in-law Richard Spear, sister-in-law Neta Spear, and numerous nieces and nephews.

Memorial service will be 10:30 a.m., Monday, May 6th at the Beloit Methodist Church.  Visitation is Sunday, May 5th from 1 to 7 p.m. with family present from 4 to 6 at Roberts Family Funeral Home.  A lunch following the burial at Fellowship Hall at the Beloit Methodist Church.

Memorial may be given to Post Rock Humane Society.

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