Wilma Darlene Spencer was born in Plains, Kansas on December 28, 1931 the second daughter of Ruby Ethel Ragsdale and John Harrison Spencer.

The Kansas Dust Bowl days plagued her childhood. She had early memories of her mother Ruby and grandmother Katie covering the windows and doors with wet blankets to keep the dirt from getting into the house or at least in hopes of minimizing it. She hated the wind until the end of her days.

She had quite a knack for numbers and worked her entire life as a bookkeeper and administrative assistant. She attended Business College in Amarillo Texas right after graduating from Plains Kansas High School in 1949. Her professional career began with the City of Liberal Kansas as the manager of the Blue Bonnet Courts. She worked in Dodge City, Kansas; and Denver, Colorado before she moved to Missoula.

She worked many years at the University of Montana primarily as the manager of the School of Forestry and then the Head Accountable Property Officer of the Federal Excess Materials program. FEPP (Federal Excess Personal Property Program) offered excess federal property to land grant colleges across the country. She was the first President of the National Group Users and Screeners Association.  She was a valuable asset to the University of Montana and obtained millions of dollars of excess properties free of charge for use in the university programs.

On April 11, 2026 Wilma quietly slipped out and went to meet the family members that she's missed for a long time and we're sure she's out dancing now. Music and dancing were great joys for her.

She is survived by daughter, Leissa Wages; son Kent Kirby and his wife Theresa; daughter Lori Taylor; half-brothers David and Tommy Spencer; grandsons Steven Kirby, Justin Cameron, Maxx Tyler Fritz, and Christopher Kirby; and four great grandsons Liam, Stellan, Oliver, and baby Colter. She is also survived by sister-in-law Marilyn Spencer-Vanatta and Marilyn's children Brent, Lance and Shaun and Wanda's children Vicki and Kelly Smith.

She was predeceased by her mother, Ruby Spencer; her father John Spencer; her beloved brother, Jack Duane Spencer; and her sister, Wanda Smith and Wanda's son, Steven Smith; half brothers Donnie and Dick Spencer and half sister Susan Spencer.

She struggled her last few years after suffering a bad fall but we took care of her as best we could.

Her nephew Kelly Smith helped so much throughout her illness and was diligent to the end. Friends Ed and April Burke were loyal visitors as were Angie and Rick Unruh. They were all generous with their time and we appreciate their endless love and attention.

We have nothing but good things to say about Hope Hospice. It's a beautiful facility and the staff took extra good care of our mother. We think very highly of them and appreciate everything.

Wilma was a good person, a good friend and the best mother we could have asked for. We'll miss her forever but cherish the time we had with her.

Cremation has taken place and Wilma will be interred with her family in Plains, KS