Ina Faye Underwood

“A hundred years from now…

It will not matter what kind of car I drove,

What kind of house I lived in,

Nor how much money I had in my bank account.

But the world will be better

Because I was important in the life of a child.”

Ina Faye Underwood was so important in the lives of – not one – but thousands of children, and she will be remembered for that, and much more. Because of her decades of teaching in the Spencer Community School District, she was very important in so many lives of children and their parents.

Ina Faye passed away peacefully in her sleep at St. Luke Lutheran Home in Spencer, Iowa, at the age of 99. She lived a rich and enjoyable life.

Born on Nov. 6, 1925, to Jacob and Etta Jurrens Kruse of George, Iowa, she went on to study teaching at Central College in Pella, Iowa, something most women at that time did not do… pursue a college degree.

She moved to Spencer to teach and met a young attorney, Murray Underwood, and they were married on June 15, 1953. They had an active and fun life, with a home base of Spencer, Iowa, but with many travels and a post-retirement winter home in Arizona.

She was very active in her community as a volunteer, and member of many professional and social organizations, she volunteered regularly at First Congregational Church in Spencer, as well as at the Clay County Fair and the Federated Garden Club. She and Murray also donated generously to many great causes in Spencer and in the state of Iowa. She also enjoyed hosting bridge club games and the Red Hat Society at her home. That is in addition to all her travels with her husband Murray.

She is preceded in death by her parents, Jacob and Etta Kruse, her brothers, Harold and Glenn, and her husband Murray, as well as nieces Dianna Palm and Deb Kruse. She is survived by nieces and nephews, and many friends, neighbors and students she taught over many years.

She lived the last 12 years of her life at St. Luke Lutheran Home, and her family is forever grateful for the excellent care she received there.

The funeral service will be at 10 am on August 22, 2025, at First Congregational Church, 1212 1st Avenue West, Spencer. Visitation with family will be at 9 am at the same location. The family asks that persons attending wear Ina Faye’s signature colors: red, black, white, royal blue or sunny yellow, or anything with an animal print. Light lunch will be served after the service with departure for the cemetery at 12:30 and the burial service at Oakland Cemetery near Peterson, Iowa, at 1pm.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations to St. Luke Lutheran Home (a nonprofit organization) 1301 St. Luke Drive, Spencer Iowa, 51301 with a notation on the check: “In memory of Ina Faye.” The funds will help residents in need.

The service will be livestreamed, please go to: www.congospencer.org