Martha Jean Creswell Spotts

Martha Jean Creswell Spotts Martha Jean Creswell Spotts was born on Jan. 8, 1919, in Coulterville, Ill., to the Rev. Andrew and Eleanor (Wilson) Creswell and passed away at Vista Grande Inn in Cortez, on Feb. 11, 2012 at age 93. Jean grew up in Pontiac, Mich., and attended Muskingum College, New Concord, Ohio, and Eastern Michigan University, Ypsilanti, Mich. On April 5, 1941, she married Alfred Spotts in Pontiac. Al and Jean spent the first part of their marriage in Pittsburgh, Pa. area where twins, Al and Ann, were born, then Andy, Jim and Joe. They moved to Sterling, Kan. in 1951, and John was born soon after. In 1955, she graduated from Sterling College, in Sterling. On graduation day, five of their six children had chicken pox. Later, Jan and Tim were born. She was a dedicated mother of eight children and was also able to extend her nurturing skills and caring concern to many besides family. No one was a stranger in their home. Jean taught school on the elementary level and high school home economics, was active in Mutual Improvement Club and PEO, enjoyed ceramics, knitting, crocheting, and reading. She loved traveling to visit their children, being with people, and touring with various groups. On their 25th wedding anniversary, they went to the Holy Land, and they also took trips to Ethiopia and Scotland. Al and Jean lived in Kansas City, Oswego, and Columbus, Kan. in the 70's and 80's until retirement, then returned to Lyons and Sterling in central Kansas. They lived briefly in Cortez from 1988-89, and in Rico, Colo. in 1994, where Al filled in as pastor in Presbyterian churches. In 2006, they moved to Vista Mesa Assisted Living in Cortez, and moved to Vista Grande Inn in 2010. Sons Joe and John died in June 2008. Jean is survived by her husband, Al, of Cortez; her sister Eleanor van Lierop of Chicago, Ill.; and brother Andrew Creswell of Albuquerque, N.M. Surviving sons include Al and wife Maggie Steptoe of Louisville, Ky.; Andy of Chicago; Jim of Mariposa, Calif.; and Tim of Concord, Calif. Surviving daughters are Ann and husband Chuck Haspels of Cortez; and Jan and husband Jim McHenry of Houston, Texas. Grandchildren are Tamara Haspels of Portland, Ore.; Molly Haspels Wickstrom and husband Scott Wickstrom of Arvada, Colo.; Chad Haspels and wife Jennifer of Pagosa Springs, Colo.; Sarah Spotts and husband Kevin Covey of Flagstaff, Ariz.; Kathryn Spotts and husband Nick Lienesch of Minneapolis, Minn.; Libby Spotts of Minneapolis; Celeste Spotts of Glenwood, Iowa; James McHenry of Houston; Joel McHenry of Houston; and Josh McHenry of Houston. Great-grandchildren are Ryley and Calvan Wickstrom of Arvada. A memorial service will be held on Saturday, Feb. 18, at 11 a.m. at Montezuma Valley Presbyterian Church, 350 S. Washington St., Cortez. Memorials can be sent to Al and Jean Spotts Endowment for Servant Leadership, Sterling College, Sterling, KS, 67579, or Hospice of Montezuma County, Box 740, Cortez, CO 81321.