Violet M Spiker

Graveside Services for Violet M. Spiker will be conducted from the Moses Hill Cemetery, northwest of Holdrege in Phelps County, Nebraska on Wednesday, June 3, 2009 at 11:00 a.m. with Pastor Murray Jones, officiating. Interment will be in the Moses Hill Cemetery.

Violet M. Spiker, 96 years of age, of Lincoln, Nebraska (formerly of Holdrege, Nebraska) passed away on Saturday, May 30, 2009 at The Monarch in Lincoln. She was born on January 5, 1913, in Holdrege, the second daughter of Oley A. & Emily M (Bragg) Hendricks.

She attended school in Holdrege, graduating in 1930. In her career as a secretary, she was an assistant to the County Superintendent of Schools. Then she became secretary to the principals at Holdrege High School ~ Harold Read, Alfred Calvert, & James Speece. Even at age 96, she enjoyed contacts with students she learned to know at Holdrege High, and spoke often of her experiences at the school.

On June 24, 1947, she married Harold Spiker. They were the parents of one daughter, Janet Irene. In 1971, Violet's husband was injured in an automobile accident, and she faithfully cared for him for 12 years. During that time, she used her detail-oriented skills and her sense of right & wrong to win a Workman's Comp court case which is still benefiting many people.

Violet enjoyed music, gardening, maintaining her home, and being a helpful friend. She had a strong faith in Jesus Christ, and depended on Him for help in the details of daily life. For several years she was legally blind, but lived alone in her home until one week before her death.

She lost her only daughter, Janet Spencer, to cancer only 7 weeks ago. Her heart was broken, but she still wanted to go on serving the Lord & others.

She was also preceded in death by her husband, Harold Spiker; her parents: Oley & Emily Hendricks; and two sisters and a brother: Pauline Major, Irene Gustafson, and Ardell Hendricks.

Her living relatives include her son-in-law, Bernard Spencer of Powell, Ohio; a niece, Carmen Guarill; and a nephew, Kent Hendricks both of Colorado, along with several grand nieces & nephews.

Violet will be remembered for her attention to detail, her strong sense of right and wrong, and her keen memory ~ even at age 96! Daily, she prayed for many people by name, expressing her deep and practical trust in her Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ. We will miss her ~ and her prayers!

Violet & Janet loved to give Bibles to others. Money for memorial Bibles may be sent directly to The Gideons International, PO Box 112, Holdrege, NE 68949. Or memorial gifts in Violet's memory may be given directly to the People's City Mission in Lincoln, or the Phelps County Historical Society / Nebraska Prairie Museum in Holdrege.

Expressions of caring and kindness can be sent to the family at www.nelsonbauerfh.com

The Nelson-Bauer Funeral Home in Holdrege is in charge of the arrangements.