In Memory of Randall R. Spotts

Randall R. Spotts, age 81, of Ida Grove, Iowa, passed away on Saturday, January 21, 2023, at the Horn Memorial Hospital of Ida Grove, Iowa.

A Funeral Service will be held at 10:30 a.m., Saturday, January 28, 2023, at the First United Methodist Church of Ida Grove, Iowa. Rev. Luann Benge will officiate. Committal Services will follow in the Ida Grove Cemetery of Ida Grove, Iowa, with Military Rites conducted by the McNamara-Moore Post No. 61 of the American Legion of Ida Grove, Iowa.

A Visitation will be held one-hour prior to the service from 9:30 a.m. to 10:30 a.m., on Saturday, January 28, 2023, at the First United Methodist Church of Ida Grove, Iowa.

Memorials in Randall’s name may be directed towards the Horn Memorial Hospital Emergency Room Project or the First United Methodist Church of Ida Grove.

There will be a Facebook Live of the service on the Christensen-Van Houten Funeral Homes Facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100063608887080

The Christensen-Van Houten Funeral Home of Ida Grove, Iowa, is in charge of the funeral arrangements.  Condolences may be sent online at www.christensenvanhouten.com

Randall Ray Spotts, the son of Ralph and Ella (Gempeler) Spotts, was born on June 17, 1941, in Ida Grove, Iowa. He grew up in Ida Grove and received his education in the Ida Grove Community School District graduating with the class of 1959.

On June 18, 1967, Randy was united in marriage to the love of his life, Sharon K. Thomas, at the First Methodist Church of Coon Rapids, Iowa. Randy was employed with the family businesses, Spotts Brothers Dray and Transfer as well as Spotts Farms. Randy loved his big family. His nieces and nephews were all special. He enjoyed his work and interacting with the customers on his daily garbage route. Morning coffees with his brothers and friends were always about planning the rest of the day’s and week’s work, discussing what was going on with family, and solving the world’s problems. 

Randy was known for having butterscotch candy in his pockets (which he was always willing to share), big nickels (quarters) were happily traded for kisses from his nieces, and his gentle hugs. He loved keeping busy and was always willing to help family. There were many remodeling and construction projects during his lifetime, but his crown jewel was the construction of his and Sharon’s home in 1986. They spent many hours planning and constructing their home. Their favorite feature was the fireplace and they loved enjoying a nice warm fire in the evenings with a bowl of popcorn and a good Western show on TV. 

Randy enjoyed woodworking, construction projects, hunting for pheasants, and fishing. He was a member of the Ida Grove Country Club and the First United Methodist Church. Randy was a lifelong resident of Ida Grove and was generous to many of the community causes including the Horn Memorial Hospital, Rec Center, Dollars for Scholars, Kiwanis Ball Field, and the First United Methodist Church. He will be deeply missed by those who knew and loved him.

Left to cherish his memory include his wife of 55 years, Sharon Spotts of Ida Grove, IA; siblings Luella Faye Ryan of Nashua, NH, Roger (Ardelle) Spotts of Ida Grove, IA, Richard (Marilyn) Spotts, Ida Grove, IA, Russell (Buddie) Spotts of Moville, IA, Linda (Roger) Hanson of Ida Grove, IA and Lorraine (Marc) Johnson of Battle Creek, IA; sisters-in-law Kathryn Spotts of Ida Grove, IA, Candice Marsicek of Omaha, NE, Claudia (Wes) Niles of Carroll, IA and Rebecca Thomas of Kansas City, MO; brother-in-law Ron Posey of Sioux City, IA; numerous nieces, nephews, extended family and friends.

He was preceded in death by his parents Ralph and Ella Spotts; parents-in-law Arnold and Julia Thomas; brothers Robert, Ralph Jr. (Joan), and Ronald Spotts; and sister Lorna Posey.