Waneta M. (Pruitt) Spear

Waneta M. (Pruitt) Spear, 79, of Parsons, died at 6:25 p.m., Tuesday, February 26, 2008, at Freeman West Hospital in Joplin following a brief illness.

She was born June 11, 1928, in Independence, Kansas, to L. Ralph and Zella Mae (Snow) Pruitt. She grew up in Cherryvale where she was raised by her Aunt Charlotte Nordurfth. In 1945, she graduated from Morehead High School at the age of 16. During World War II she went to nursing school at Mercy Hospital in Parsons in 1945. She then received an Associate Degree in Arts at Labette Community College in 1982.

She and Otis E. Spear were married in Parsons, on October 3, 1948. He preceded her in death July 6, 1989.

Following marriage, they moved to Kansas City, Missouri. For a time, they lived in Wichita, Kansas, Pratt, Kansas, Houston, Texas, Sugarland, Texas, and Hays, Kansas, before moving to Parsons in 1950. In 1952, she began working at Mercy Hospital where she remained for 13 years. When Labette County Medical Center opened its doors, she began her 25 year tenure there. Over the years, she also worked at the Labette County Health Department and was a pioneer in maternal and child healthcare. For a time, she worked at the Katy Hospital. In 1982, she began working at the Parsons State Hospital and Training Center where she retired as night shift nursing supervisor in 1994. She worked as a registered nurse for a total of 49 years.

She was a member of the St. Patrick's Catholic Church in Parsons since 1958, Don't Dodge Difficulty County Extension Club for many years and is currently president, AARP, Senior Citizens Rebuilders and Pinochle Club. She made many wonderful friends there.

She enjoyed watercolor art painting, quilting and international travel. She also wrote poetry and childrens books. She was an avid e-mailer and loved sending "dear everyone" letters on a daily basis to her family and friends.

SURVIVORS:
Two Daughters – Sherry Petrillo, Mesquite, TX;
Cynthia Huebner and her husband, Rick, Parsons, KS;
Four Sons - Joseph Spear and his wife, Norma, Kansas City, MO;
Rodney Spear and his wife, Trina, Hot Springs, AR;
Steven Spear and his wife, Angela, Easton, PA;
Jeffrey Spear and his wife, Tina, Kansas City, MO;

Twenty-One Grandchildren – Sarah L. Hardy and her husband, Shawn;
Cpl. Matt Petrillo, USMC;
Cindy Brand and her husband, Bill;
Jarret Willey,
Jamie Willey,
Megan Huettenmueller and her husband, Scott;
Elizabeth Spear,
Lauren Spear,
Philip Spear and his wife, Eilene;
Sean Spear,
Ryan Spear,
Benjamin Spear,
Allen Spear,
Christy Jo Spear,
Colin Spear,
Ian Spear,
Skyler Mae Spear,
Sophia Spear,
Lauren Daniels and her husband, Josh;
Kim Huebner,
Matt Huebner

Twelve Great-Grandchildren – Ethan Hardy,
Bella Hardy,
Mia Huettenmueller,
Jackie Brand,
Jake Brand,
Mac Brand,
Luke Brand,
Jordan Willey,
Eric Huebner,
Jared Huebner,
Chase Sexton,
Addison Daniels
One Sister-in-Law – Norma Spear Joplin, MO

In addition to her husband, she was preceded in death by her parents and her brother, Robert Dale Pruitt.

Funeral Mass is scheduled for 10:00 a.m., Saturday, March 1, 2008, at St. Patrick's Catholic Church in Parsons. Burial will be in Memorial Lawn Cemetery. The Rosary will be held at 6:30 p.m., Friday, February 29, 2008, at Forbes-Hoffman Funeral Home in Parsons. The family will receive friends following the Rosary.

Memorials are suggested to the American Cancer Society in the name of Waneta Spear and note that the donation is for research or St. Patrick's School Endowment Fund. These may be left at or mailed to Forbes-Hoffman Funeral, P.O. Box 374, Parsons, KS 67357. To order memorial trees or send flowers to the family in memory of Waneta M. (Pruitt) Spear, please visit our flower store.