Eleanor "Elly" Spencer
December 7, 2025
Eleanor “Elly” Spencer, 94, met her Lord December 7, 2025. She was a loving wife, mom, and grandma whose loving presence blessed the lives around her.
Elly was born October 8, 1931 to Max and Elsa Meitzner. She graduated a proud Redskin from Wichita North High School in 1949. On January 20, 1950 she married Daryl Spencer and they shared 67 years together until his passing 18 days shy of their 67th anniversary.
His baseball career had them living in many cities across the US and Japan, but Wichita was always home.
Her working years included nearly a decade with CPI Corporation, followed later by several years at H&C Ayers with her niece and nephew. Her most treasured role fell between, when she cared for her granddaughters. Becoming a grandma was one of her greatest joys, and the surprise of having her second named after her was a moment she cherished. Maddie and Elly were her pride and joy.
Elly enjoyed sewing, reading, music, needlepoint projects, Shocker basketball and loved serving the Lord at Good Shepherd Lutheran Church.
Visitation with family will be from 6:00 pm – 8:00 pm, Thursday, December 11, 2025; Funeral Service will be at 10:30 am, Friday, December 12, 2025, both at Downing & Lahey East Mortuary. Elly loved purple, so in honor of her memory, we would love to see your different shades of purple. The service will be live streamed and can be viewed by clicking “Watch” below.
Preceded in death by her husband, Daryl Dean Spencer; parents, Max and Elsa Meitzner; brother, Paul (Kitty) Meitzner; sister, Christa (Henry) Ayers; and a lifetime of beloved dogs.
Survived by her daughters, Kari Sue Vosburgh of Wichita, KS, Karen (Brent) Baker of Newcastle, OK; grandchildren, Maddie Vosburgh of Edmond, OK, Elly Vosburgh of Tulsa, OK and numerous nieces and nephews.
A memorial has been established with Kansas Humane Society, 3313 N. Hillside, Wichita, KS 67219.
Broadcast Date:
Services
Visitation: Thursday, December 11, 2025 6:00 pm - 8:00 pm
Downing & Lahey East Mortuary
6555 E. Central
Wichita, KS 67206
Funeral Service: Friday, December 12, 2025 10:30 am
Downing & Lahey East Mortuary
6555 E. Central
Wichita, KS 67206
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Charities
The family greatly appreciates donations made to these charities in Eleanor "Elly" Spencer 's name.
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On more than a few occasions, My Aunt El saw me barge into Larkin Street, her home, her sanctuary (oftentimes unannounced), just to shoot the breeze with Uncle Daryl. Didn’t matter what I might have been interrupting – like her peaceful life – El was always kind and understanding of how important it was to me to spend time with her husband. El welcomed me into her home each time, with kindness, without fail. That kindness will be my forever memory of a life lived well.
Eleanor and I became friends our sophomore year at North High. Six of our classmates had dinner together every couple of months for several years. She was always very entertaining. Thank you, Kari Sue, for keeping me in touch with her. She was very dear to me.
Eleanor was one of the kindest persons we had the pleasure of knowing. During our second summer in Wichita, when the place our family was staying at had a fire, Eleanor welcomed us into her home. She was nothing but gracious. Although we were never in Whichita again, we never lost touch in the ensuing 50 years. Heaven has a beautiful new light.
Kari Sue, I’m so very sorry. Losing a parent (I lost my dad last year) is one of the deepest sorrows a heart can know. But their goodness, their caring, and their wisdom live on like a legacy of love that will always be with you. May that love surround you now and bring you peace.
Debbie Bastian
East High Classmate & friend