Alan B. Spensley

Alan Butler “Al” Spensley, 89, of Dubuque, Iowa passed away peacefully on November 8th, 2017 at Luther Manor surrounded by his loving family.  

Funeral service will be at 12:00 p.m. Thursday, November 16th, 2017 at First Congregational United Church of Christ with Pastor Lillian Daniels officiating. Family and friends may gather after 10:00 a.m. Thursday at the church until time of service. Private family burial will follow in Center Grove Cemetery with military honors by American Legion Post #6.  

Al was born on May 14, 1928 in Dubuque, Iowa the son of George and Vera (Butler) Spensley. Al was a US Navy Veteran serving during the Korean War from 1950 to 1954. He graduated from the University of Dubuque in 1955 with a major in Business and a minor in Psychology.  Al was brought up as a member of Grandview United Methodist Church until 2000 when he and Myrna joined  First Congregational United Church of Christ. 

Al married Myrna Louise Leasure on September 24th 1952 at Grandview United Methodist Church Dubuque and together they were married for 49 years until she preceded him in death in 2001. He later married Patricia Cullen in 2003 and she preceded him in death in 2017. 

Al started working in 1942 at age 14 sweeping the stockyards and retired from Dubuque Packing Company in 1986 as a sales division manager. He then devoted his time to his family and passions.

Al enjoyed volunteering his time to the community. He volunteered his time and served as a board member at Dubuque Arboretum and Botanical Gardens, The City of Dubuque Garden Club, the Tri-State Garden Club, the Historical Society and River Boat Museum, the YMCA and the Y’s Men’s Association as well as the UD Alumni where he was inducted into the Hall of Fame. He also was part of the Stephen Ministry through First Congregational Church of Christ and volunteered time advocating for several people in nursing homes.

Al loved to dance, had a great sense of humor, and enjoyed traveling the world as an Ambassador for the Friendship Force. His hobbies were gardening, photography and painting. He loved music, nature, watching or listening to the St. Louis Cardinals and  Iowa Hawkeyes, but his true love and passion was his gardens. He spent several hours each day at the YMCA swimming and playing volleyball and racquetball. But most of all he loved his family. 

Al is survived by his  children Steve (Kim) Spensley, Mike Spensley and Kathy Spensley, his grandchildren  Elly (Matt) Moriarty, Robb (Sybren) Spensley, Colin Spensley, Heidi (Zach) Williams, Katie (Adam) Wolf, Rachel (Eric) Daughetee and Allie (Nick) Spensley as well as his  great grandchildren Waylon, Addison, Weston, Grayce, Sawyer, Iyla, Ruby, Faye, Cameron and Larkin.  He is also survived by his niece Linda (Bob) Nosco, sister-in-law Phyllis Williams, nephews Gary (Donna) Ernster, Mark (Joy) Ernster and Jay(Maureen) Ernster and step children Judith “Judy” Cullen, Jeffrey (Gina) Cullen and Timothy (Elaine) Cullen.

Besides Myrna and Pat Al was also preceded in death by his parents George and Vera  Spensley, his brother David "Dale" Spensley, his brothers-in-law Harold "HW" Williams and Robert "Bob" Ernster and great grandson Henry Daniel Williams.

The family wishes to thank the wonderful nurses and staff at Luther Manor and Hospice of Dubuque, his favorite nurse Laura Murphy, and his gardener and friend Karen Wemett. 

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be given to the Dubuque Arboretum and First Congregational United Church of Christ.

 Service Information