Irene Lillian (Holloway) Spruce

Irene Lillian Spruce was a dynamic woman who was a loving and deeply devoted wife to her husband, a nurturing mother to her children, and a joyful servant of her community, but it was her unwavering commitment as a child of God for which she will be remembered most. She was gracious and kind with a heart that beat to serve the Lord. Irene’s life was not without trial, but she taught us how to trust that the Lord will provide in whatever way He sees fit. She lived her life as a constant reflection of her favorite verse in Deuteronomy which states: “The Lord himself goes before you and will be with you; he will never leave you nor forsake you. Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged.” In everything she did, Irene was a true blessing to those around her.

It was during a time of growth and expansion in America that there was an unforgettable year for one young family in Topeka, Kansas, since it was on August 12, 1915, that they celebrated the birth of a healthy baby girl. Irene Lillian was welcomed into the world by her parents, James and Clara Holloway. She was one of three children in her family including her brother, James, and her sister, Dorotha.

The Holloways were a remarkable family of strong willed, highly spirited, and intuitive people. Even as a young girl Irene was gifted with a great deal of common sense and was a natural born leader. They were a close family and remained as such as the years went by. Irene gave her heart to Jesus when she was just five years old. She became a member of Topeka First Church of the Nazarene at the age of nine, and she remained a member of this denomination for 87 years. Irene was fully devoted to her faith, and she began serving in the church as a Sunday school teacher when she was just 13. As a teenager and young adult, Irene continued to serve in numerous capacities in her church, putting her organizational and leadership skills to good use.

For her education, Irene attended local schools and after graduating from high school, she went on to Bethany Nazarene College in Bethany, Oklahoma. It was there that she met the young man with whom she would share the best years of her life. His name was Fletcher Clarke Spruce and they met during the first week of class. They complemented each other well and both shared a strong love for people, had outgoing spirits, and were fully devoted to their calling. After falling deeply in love, Irene and Fletcher married on June 21, 1936. Irene completed two years of school at Bethany, which later became Southern Nazarene University, which equipped her to come alongside her husband in his ministry for 38 years. This was not always easy since the early years of their ministry were during the Great Depression when they earned only five dollars a week and sometimes earned nothing at all. Together they served in Arkansas, Oklahoma, Kansas, Texas, and Ohio. For 12 of those years, Irene ministered for the Church of the Nazarene as a district superintendent with assignment locations in the New England States and in northeast Indiana.

When they were blessed with children, Irene and Fletcher designed their home to be Christ-centered as evidenced by the brief time of prayer and Bible reading before the children went off to school each day. Their children, James and Sara, were expected to have good manners and to be respectful, obedient, and honest both at home and at school. They needed to display honor of God and country, show patriotism and responsibility, and form intellectual aspirations and a strong sense of self discipline, too. Irene accompanied her children in these pursuits as she felt it was her duty as their mother to live with high standards and to protect her children while they became all that God intended for them to be.

Although much of their home life centered on these principles, there was always plenty of room for fun and abundant laughter, too. While her children were in elementary school, Irene served as the president of the local school and the community PTA. Irene and Fletcher truly lived their faith no matter the cost. When a devastating fire destroyed everything they had except for one bag of coins they were able to save, they gave that bag to the church since it was their promised tithe.

Following her husband's death in December of 1974, Irene lived in Champaign, Illinois, from 1975 through1979 where she became very active in church and community work. She was a volunteer for the Carle Foundation Hospital, president of the Champaign Church of the Nazarene Missions International, taught Sunday school, and was very active in the Christian Women's Club where she served as coordinator for Bible studies and as hostess coordinator.

When she moved to Bourbonnais in 1979, Irene continued as coordinator for Bible studies in the Kankakee Christian Women's Club for several years. Her most devoted activities locally were through her service to College Church of the Nazarene in Bourbonnais, where she actively served in many capacities. Irene’s acts of service included president of the College Church of the Nazarene Missions International, church greeter, office volunteer, Sunday school class social chairperson, and Prime Time council member for fifteen years. In recent years she continued to be active in a ladies Bible study, Wesley Cell, Prime Time Organization, Retired Minister's Organization, and several other small groups.

Through her lifetime, Irene Spruce was known for her gift of hospitality having organized numerous meals and receptions in her home. She loved reading her Bible and inspirational materials, encouraging family and friends, organizing programs and teaching Bible studies. Irene will always be remembered for her devotion to her family, her service to others, and her unceasing prayers to God.

Irene Lillian Spruce died on February 17, 2011. Irene’s family includes her son, Rev. James Robert(Karen) Spruce of Chatham, IL; daughter, Sara Elizabeth Spruce of Bourbonnais; two granddaughters, Cynthia Spruce Grinder (Darrin) of Nampa, ID and Sharolyn Spruce of Weiser, ID; grandson, Steven Jed (Corey) Spruce of Auburn, IL; six great-grandchildren, Elisabeth Grinder, Olivia Grinder, Jackson Whitehurst, Cecylia Whitehurst, Liam Spruce Schofield, CJ Paulen of Auburn, IL; four nieces, Nancy (Steven) Eagan, Susie (Leonard) Buchan, Tracey Holloway and Marla (Chris) Edin; and two nephews, Terry (Kay) Coward and Danny (Christen) Holloway. Irene was preceded in death by her husband, Rev. Fletcher Spruce; her parents, James Henry and Clara Ellen Holloway; her brother, James Jr. (Eunice) Holloway; and her sister, Dorotha Coward. Funeral services will be held Monday, February 21, 2011 at the University Campus of College Church of the Nazarene at 11:00 a.m. Burial will be at the Mount Hope Cemetery in Topeka, KS, Wednesday, February 23, 2011 at 11:00 a.m. Visit with Irene’s family and friends at the Bourbonnais Chapel of Schreffler Funeral Homes, Sunday, February 20, 2011 from 2-5 p.m. and Monday at College Church of the Nazarene, University Campus for one hour prior to the service at 11:00 a.m. Please visit www.lifestorynet.com where you can leave a memory, download a photo and watch her DVD. Memorials may be made to the Nazarene Theological Seminary (Fletcher Clarke Spruce Scholarship), College Church of the Nazarene, or Olivet Nazarene University.