Robert L. Spellmeier

Robert L. Spellmeier, 78, of Axtell, Kansas, passed away Thursday, December 16, 2010 at Bryan LGH Health Systems in Lincoln, Nebraska. A funeral service was held at 10:30 a.m., Thursday, December 23 at the Axtell United Methodist Church. The Rev. Camille Sutton officiated. Lila Alfers played the organ while Loretta Winchell led the congregation in singing "Softly & Tenderly" and "Amazing Grace". The pallbearers were Jason Armontrout, Keith Adam Spellmeier, Steven Armontrout, Brian Spellmeier, Robert L. Spellmeier, Jr., and Rick Svoboda. The American Legion S&MNR Post 163 provided Military Funeral Honors. Burial was in the Marysville City Cemetery. Robert was born July 13, 1932 at Marysville, KS, the son of Gustav Herman Henry and Julia (Lutjemeir) Spellmeier. On September 14, 1953 he married Theresa A. Schramm. He worked for the State of Kansas as a grain inspector in Atchison, Kansas where he inspected trains and barges. He then took a job with the U.S. Government as a grain inspector. Robert worked as a freelance woodcarver and carved carousel horses, bears and mules at Silver Dollar City. He then moved to Oklahoma and was the caretaker at a ranch until retiring and moving to Axtell. Robert loved carving wood, especially horses for the carousels. He also enjoyed spending time outdoors target shooting and caring for the animals on the ranch he worked. He was preceded in death by his parents; son, Keith Allen Spellmeier; and brother, Chester Spellmeier. Survivors include his wife, Theresa; two daughters, Victoria Armontrout (Steve) Mountain Home, Arkansas, and Roxanne Spellmeier, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia; two sons, Robert Lee Spellmeier, Jr., (Cheryl) Stephenville, Tex., and Brian Spellmeier, Axtell; brother, Clarence Spellmeier (Connie), Home, Kan., two sisters, Norma Droge (Harry) Council Grove, Kan., and Verda Mae Svoboda, Blue Rapids, Kan., six grandchildren and ten great-grandchildren. A memorial fund has been established and will be designated at a later date. Contributions may be sent in care of Kinsley Mortuary. To order memorial trees or send flowers to the family in memory of Robert L. Spellmeier, please visit our flower store.