Sharel Lynn Spendlove

Sharel Lynn (Tuers) Spendlove breathed her last on earth, and was welcomed into the arms of her Savior Jesus Christ, On February 19, 2026. She grew up in Des Moines, Iowa, the first daughter of Verlyn Tuers, a banker, and LaVaughn, a farmer’s daughter, mother and homemaker. Her sister, Diane came along three years later. After graduating from East Des Moines High School, Sharel entered nurse’s training at Iowa Lutheran Hospital, where she lived in the student dorm for three years.

After graduation from Nursing school, she was employed in the hospital’s polio ward (this was in the last years before the polio vaccine was invented). With all her girlfriends getting married, Sharel and her one remaining single girlfriend decided to embark upon an adventure—drive halfway across the country, to Oregon! They obtained employment as nurses at University Hospital in Portland, and found two other girls as roommates, including Annette Twist, who became one of Sharel’s life-long friends. During her time in Portland, Sharel learned skiing at Mt. Hood, and even went on a deer hunt with her aunt and uncle.

After a year in Portland, Sharel and Annette moved to Denver (where Annette’s sister lived), and Sharel began working at Presbyterian Hospital. Attending Christ Methodist Church, she participated in the Luncheoners fellowshipping social group, where she met Gordon Ring Spendlove! Their first date was to see the Globetrotters basketball comedy troupe on a night with snow burying his car. Together, they joined the Fiddlesteppers square dance club in the beginners’ class, commencing their life-long love of square dancing—and each other!

Gordon and Sharel were married April 3,1965 at Highland Park Presbyterian Church, in Des Moines, where she had attended with her parents. But she and Gordon lived in Denver, then Lakewood, where he was employed at AT&T. Roger was born to them in January 1966, at which time Sharel retired from full-time nursing career. Baby Scott came along three years later, in March 1969.

Raising two boys as mother, wife, and homemaker, Sharel enjoyed sewing clothes for her family, crafts, and photo albums. She participated in the boys’ schooling and Cub Scouting activities. Love of nursing lead her to become a founding member of the Non-Practicing & Part-Time Nurses Association, where she served as newsletter editor, and then president for many years. Yearly camping vacations, hiking, and visiting many national parks and other scenic locations throughout the western USA were enjoyed with her family.

They were members of Phillips United Methodist Church, where Sharel was active in the Women’s Group. When the boys were teens, she joined the Phillips Philharmonic handbell choir. Making music with these beautiful instruments alongside her friends was a great joy to her. They traveled to places like Estes Park, Colorado for handbell conventions, workshops, and competitions.

Sharel shared Gordon’s fandom of the Colorado Rockies baseball, and the Denver Broncos football outfits. They attended many baseball games together, up until just a few years ago.

After the boys married, Sharel and Gordon doted on their eight grandchildren. She loved to go to tea parties with Roger’s wife Kim and their five daughters. With Scott and Jenna’s son Logan, she followed his band and scouting endeavors. After Gordon’s retirement in 1999, Sharel and he rediscovered many more years of square-dancing, mountain hiking, and church activities.

Sharel is survived by her sister-in-law Linda Darling; her son Roger and his seven children: Abigail, Gideon, Thaddeus, Mahli, Jubilee, Hadassah, and Esther; her son Scott with wife Jenna and son Logan.

We are eternally grateful for the loving care she received in her final years from Scott, Linda, and friend Jill Tharp.

Memorial Service will be held at Phillips United Methodist Church, 1450 S Pierce Street, Lakewood, CO 80232 on Saturday, March 21, 2026 at 11:00am, with a reception to follow.

In lieu of flowers, please consider donating to any of the following charities:

• Phillips United Methodist Church
• St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital (her granddaughter Abigail received life-saving cancer treatment from St. Jude, praise God!)
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Please share memories and condolences with Sharel’s family by signing the guestbook.