Kathleen Elma Daly was born July 8, 1911 in Columbia, Brown, South Dakota to Charles “Chas” Carl Daly and Edith May (Jones) Daly. On March 25, 1935 she was married to Irvin L. Spencer in Columbia, Brown, South Dakota. They had three children: Larry, Janice (May 30, 1938), and Richard. Kathleen died on April 5, 1985 in Aberdeen, South Dakota.
Kathleen Spencer – 1911
Her grandson Ralph (Gordon) says “I remember Grandma sitting on her stool in front of the kitchen sink for hours doing dishes, peeling potatoes, preparing things for dinner and even sometimes washing up ducks, geese, or pheasants Alan and I had shot. If she wasn’t there she would be at the dining room table doing some craft, like making seed pictures, decoupage, or something else like crocheting.
Kathleen (Left) With Friend
When Alan and I were young we stayed at the farm in the summer or on weekends. It didn’t matter when you went to bed, but at 7:00 in the morning Grandpa would holler upstairs for us to get down there for breakfast. Grandma would have bacon and eggs waiting for us. Grandpa was always up very early, and by 7:00 a.m. he had the morning chores done before Alan and I were awake.
John, Earl, Kathleen, and Arty Daly
One of the things I looked forward to the most was eating Grandma’s fried chicken which we had almost every Sunday for dinner. Her chicken and the gravy she made were unbelievable. Grandma was an excellent cook; her fried chicken and her biscuits & gravy were my favorites.
Donald and Kathleen Daly
On Saturday night if Alan and I were in the house we had to sit and watch her favorite show, Lawrence Welk. You had to be very quiet when it was on. They had two dogs named Duke and Timmy. Almost every time company came over the two dogs would get in a fight. Grandma had a cane and she would try to break up the fight with her cane.”
John, Dorothy, and Kathleen Daly
Kathleen and Alice Daly
Kathleen worked in a cafe in Aberdeen before she got married. She met future husband Irvin Spencer at Daly Corners. They had card parties at the school, and there was a dance floor across the road from the school. Irvin worked for a family by the name of Lillibridge at the time. They got married and lived 1 mile north & 1 1/2 miles east of Daly Corners until Larry was born. Shortly after, they moved 1 1/2 miles north and 1 mile west of Daly Corners. From there they moved to John Bachelon’s place, 1 mile west of Daly Corners, where Richie and Janice were born. In 1941 they moved to the farm where they put down roots. Irvin farmed there until his death in 1979. Kathleen continued living there until her death in 1985.
The Aberdeen American News published an article written by Dolores Charboneau about Kathleen’s art titled “Mosaics are Made of Seeds” sometime in the late-1970s:
“AT FIRST glance, the pictures made by Mrs. Irvin (Kathleen) Spencer of rural Columbia appear to be needlework. A closer look will show that the pictures, called seed mosaics or crop art, are made from a wide variety of seeds. In describing crop art, Mrs. Spencer said, “I think it is an interesting hobby – people can use their own imagination and not follow a set pattern.”
Mrs. Spencer began using seeds to make pictures eight years ago after reading about a crop art exhibit at the Minnesota State Fair. From the article, Mrs. Spencer received information about making seed mosaics and information about where she could obtain kits. “After making a few kits,“ Mrs. Spencer said, “I decided I had everything I needed and I didn’t have to buy kits. So I started making my own patterns.”
Since that time, Mrs. Spencer has made about 100 seed mosaics, most of which she has given as gifts or has sold. The mosaics are now owned by people living as far as Alaska, New York and California as well as by people living near here. Occasionally Mr. Spencer helps his wife with the mosaics. Mrs. Spencer said, “He does the framing if it gets tough to frame a board. He also helps collect seeds and saws boards.”
Mrs. Spencer begins a seed mosaic by covering a piece of thin plywood or discarded paneling with burlap. She either staples burlap material to the board or presses adhesive-backed burlap wall covering to it. She finds patterns that she likes from such sources as Christmas cards, calendars and embroidery patterns. She either traces the pattern on the burlap with a dull pencil and carbon paper or draws it.
If she is making a flower, she explained that she sometimes only marks the place where the center of the flower is to be. Then she fills in the rest of the flower without a pattern. She makes as few marks as possible because the marks may be difficult to cover.
Many different seeds are collected from many different places. “If you’re on the lookout, you see a lot of seeds that you don’t see if you aren’t looking for them, “ said Mrs. Spencer.
The seeds may be grown from trees, bushes, grass, garden plants and grain crops. They can be collected from fields and gardens or purchased from grocery stores, grain elevators and seed catalogs. Mrs. Spencer feels that selecting materials for mosaics allows a person to use imagination and personal choice.
Mrs. Spencer uses the seeds in natural color. However, she explained that she has not been able to find red or blue ones, and she has dyed rice red to provide that color for making pheasants. Some of the seeds used frequently by Mrs. Spencer are squaw corn, grass and sesame. Alsike clover seed, which must be ordered, is used to supply the black and green color of evergreens.
Irvin and Kathleen – 1936
The seeds are attached with a white glue that becomes clear as it dries. When the mosaic is completely formed, it is allowed to dry overnight. After the glue is dry, the mosaic is sprayed with clear plastic from an aerosol can. Mrs. Spencer noted there is no need to worry about the clear plastic touching the burlap because the plastic will not show on the material. Lastly, the burlap-covered board is placed in a picture frame.”
Richie, Kathleen, and Janice Spencer
Pages From Kathleen’s Diary (1944) –
1-1-44: Spent the day resting, after the New Year’s Eve dance in Claremont. Irvin went up to see Russell Wright about shelling corn.
1-2-44: Went to John and Myrtis’ for dinner. Donald & Lute, Papa & Agnes & family, Aunt Dorothy and Arty & Ruth Johnson were there also.
1-3-44: I washed. The washing machine wouldn’t work at first but Irvin finally got it going. Doris and kids stayed here while Joseph went down to their other place. Irvin & Jimmie started trimming trees and burned road ditches and brush.
1-4-44: I cut up and fried out lard. The kids went down to Aunt Rose’s a while and I went after them & stayed a while. Irvin & Jimmie trimmed more trees.
1-5-44: Irvin and I went to Aberdeen and the kids stayed with Agnes. We took back the coat I ordered rom Sudows. Jimmie hauled alfalfa hay. Larry got new shoe skates.
1-6-44: Irvin and Jimmie sawed some more trees down. Went up to Tunby’s to see when the cornshellers would be here.
1-7-44: Irvin went with Elmer to Haughton. Got the colts from pasture, sold them to Bud Herseth.
1-8-44: We went to Columbia. Took Richie to Dr. Markin and got some salve for his face. I went up to Aunt D’s for a while. Irvin bought the colts back from Bud and sold them to Norm. Larry skated at Frank’s while we were in town. Jimmie went home.
1-9-44: I made Janice’s doll a dress and apron. Fred & Grace came over in the evening and we played “Parcheesi.”
1-10-44: Irvin went to Abd’n to get an order for a drill, Fred went along. Mitchell brought the corn sheller.
1-11-44: Shelled corn, Walter and Jim Winchester helped. Finished at 7:30 P.M. Charlie Mitchell and Duane Loyd run the sheller. Irvin borrowed Moe’s truck and hauled 2 loads to town. Larry came home from school at noon. Furnace smoked so bad they let out school.
1-12-44: Irvin hauled another load of corn with Moe’s truck in the P.M. Larry didn’t go to school, he went along to town and stayed at Myrtis’ on the way home. I finished my wine colored dress. We went to the married folks dance in Columbia with John & Myrtis and Fred & Grace. Peggy, Janice, Richie, & Larry stayed all night with Della.
Larry and Janice
1-13-44: Got up late. Charlie Mitchell was here to settle up for corn shellilng before we had breakfast. I went over and got the kids at Myrtis’s. Stopped at Della’s for a while. Larry went to school at noon. Steven’s came and got the bull.
1-14-44: Irvin went to Houghton with Vic with a load of pigs. Bought a chicken feeder. Went to town in P.M. and took feed and got it ground for chickens. I washed clothes. Dean & Tony stayed here while Agnes went to Abd’n with Aunt D. to Margaret McNally’s funeral.
1-15-44: Deese K. here after cobs before we got done with breakfast. Irvin & I went to Abd’n in P.M. Helen stayed with kids. I got my coat but had to leave it to be shortened. We went to Barnard to the dance with John & Myrtis. Donald & Lute went too.
1-16-44: I made myself a new nite gown. Larry went up to Franks. Aunt Dorothy was here for a while.
1-17-44: I baked bread John & Myrtis brought my fur coat home from Abd’n. I got the blue dress I sent for from Lane Bryant. Ironed about half the ironing.
1-18-44: I finished the ironing. The kids and I went up to Margie’s for a while and then over to Agnes’ & showed her my coat & dress. A terrible windy day. John & Myrtis came over about 6 o’clock and told us Lester Albrecht died. Connie Hanson was here selling bonds.
1-19-44: I made a cake and we took it over to Fred & Grace’s. They were gone to Abd’n, so we went up to Jul’s and waited until they came home. Irvin went to town to find out who he could get to help him dig the grave.
1-20-44: Irvin went to town at 10 A.M. to dig the grave. John, Jim Woolery, and Walter Albrecht were there too. I did Grace’s babies’ washing. Margie & Agnes and Doris were here. Got awful windy in the afternoon. Mrs. Connie Hanson came to see if there was going to be club. Irvin took Grace’s clothes home at nite.
1-21-44: Lester’s funeral was today. We left the kids at John & Myrtis’ with Shirley while we went to the funeral. Agnes & Aunt Rose stayed at the house and got supper for the folks who came back to the house. (About 20) Margie & I helped after the funeral. I went after the kids while Irvin did the milking. Dick & Margie & Ruth came down afterwards we played rummy.
Larry, Janice, and Richie
1-22-44: We went to town in P.M. Larry & Richie got a haircut. Janice went home with Peggy from town. We went to a party at Myrtis & John’s in evening, the kids stayed all night.
1-23-44: Irvin and I went over to get the kids and for dinner also. We played 500 (just we two) rummy in the evening.
1-24-44: I made Janice a pair of overalls out of a feed sack. Also fixed my blue dress. Janice and Richie layed around all day with cold. Dick brought Irvin’s hog feeder out in his truck.
1-25-44: Kinda foggy today. I got some needlework patterns I sent for. Lucille and Rosemary walked up from Walter’s. Myrtis came over about 4:30 to get me to fix her hair.
1-26-44: Club at Lois Vitevse’s. I went up to go with Margie but she forgot it was club. Kenny didn’t feel good so she didn’t want to go so Janice & Richie stayed there. Irvin took Aunt Rose & I over there and we rode back as far as Myrtis’es with Vera and Irvin came there. We went to the M.F. Dance with John & Myrtis. Lucille Topel stayed with the kids at Myrtis’. Big crowd at dance. Arthur came home with us & stayed all nite. Larry stayed at Dick’s.
1-27-44: Sleeting out today. Didn’t get up til 10:15. Irvin took Arthur home and then we went and got the kids over to John’s. Blizzard all afternoon.
1-28-44: Nice day. Irvin took some oats to town to get ground. I waxed all the floors. Lucille Topel stopped and borrowed Irvin’s book “The Robe.”
1-29-44: I washed the windows and did some ironing. Lute came down to see if I knew what could be wrong with her sewing machine. R & J & I went up to her place for a while. Larry went to Frank’s to skate.
1-30-44: Started making a prof pillowcase. I made a cake & buns, we also made some ice cream. Frank & Tony came down & Agnes & Papa came after them. Fred & Grace came over & played cards in the evening.
1-31-44: 10° above zero. I washed today.
2-1-44: Irvin went to town took the trailer and brought his pig home from John’s. I put up clean curtains in the kitchen and ironed some.
2-2-44: Dick & Margie left Kenny here while they went to Aberdeen. Irvin cleaned out shop room in the grainery. Aunt Rose came up for a while in afternoon. The bull came home! I made my laundry bag for my dime project.
Richie, Larry, and Janice
2-3-44: Irvin got two pigs from Junior and then took John’s home. He went to Abd’n in P.M. with Walter’s. Peggy stayed here while John & Myrtis went to Abd’n. I got a letter from Ab.
2-4-44: Walter & Junior came up & helped butcher in P.M. We caught chickens to sell in the evening. Moved Larry’s bed in south room with other kids. Made choc. ice cream.
2-5-44: Blizzarding until about noon. I got the pillows & pillow ticks I sent for. We went to Tony’s birthday party with Myrtis. Irvin took John to town. He bought a brooder stove at Rudy’s. Irvin went to town again at night.
2-6-44: Didn’t do much. Nobody here and we didn’t go any place. I started crocheting on my pillowcases.
2-7-44: We went to Aberdeen the kids stayed at Myrits’es. We stopped at Donald’s and Davie’s to see what kind of brooder houses they had. We went to the show “Trail of the Lonesome Pine.” Irvin went out to all the lumber yards looking at brooder houses. I got some sheets and exchanged Larry’s shoes for Janice dressing table. John & Myrtis came over after supper & I fixed her hair and then we played cards.
2-8-44: Got up late and just as we were finishing breakfast the men came to put in our telephone. Doris & Nancy came and stayed all day. The two guys working on the telephone were here for dinner. I cut up the pig and gave Doris some of the lard to fry out.
2-9-44: I baked bread & churned. We put the meat in brine and ground sausage. Irvin went to Haughton to see about a brooder house and a sale up there and see Eliza about pasture for next summer. Larry stayed all nite with Frank. We were going to a married folks dance but it started blizzarding and we didn’t go.
2-10-44: Snowed and blowed all nite but it kinda cleared up by noon. Pretty cold wind from N.E. Heard on the phone that the Legion Hall burned down last nite. Sent for a rose bedspread & some books. I tied a quilt.
Kathleen Holding Janice on Far Left – 1938
2-11-44: Cold all day. The kids and I went to a Valentine party at the schoolhouse with Myrtis. John went to Claremont with Irvin. We had to pull the car with the tractor to start it. Fido went away.
2-12-44: Irvin took Jo over to where his car statled and pulled it into town. Had vetinary out for old blue cow. Helen stayed with kids while we went to a party at Arthur’s. Kenny & Peggy stayed here too. Ordered 400 buff chickens today.
2-13-44: Didn’t do much all day. Made a freezer of ice cream and took it over to Fred & Grace’s at nite. Took little dress & Janice’s little blue coat over to Beverly’s.
2-14-44: Quite a nice day. I washed. Irvin hauled a load of straw. Peggy was here for a while while John went up to his old place and got a load of corn.
Kathleen and Richie Spencer
2-15-44: We went to Aberdeen with John and Myrtis. Donald & Bob J. went along. The kdis stayed at Agnes’es. We went to the show at the capitol “Thousand Cheer.” Irvin got the books he sent for in the mail. I got my money back for my bedspread.
2-16-44: Irvin killed the old blue cow & skinned her. Walter helped him. He took a load of oats to town to get ground and signed up for tractor fuel.
2-17-44: Joseph & Doris & Marion & Reva came down. Joseph & Irvin went to town. Awful cold day. Doris, Marion, Reva, & I played 2 games Parcheesi. I baked bread. We had dinner about 3 o’clock. Larry found Fido caught in a fence up the road on his way home from school. Doris & I went back with him and got Fido out of the fence & carried him home. His one hind leg was froze stiff.
2-18-44: Irvin went to Claremont. Walter went along. He bought a brooder house over there. I ironed some and transferred some patterns on pillowcases and a dishtowel. Kenny stayed all night. Dick & Margie went to a hi school dance.
2-19-44: Didn’t do much, went to Columbia in P.M. J & R & I walked up to Aunt D’s and took her mail up to her. John & Myrtis, Fred & Grace, and us went to Barnard. Too big a crowd. Helen stayed with the kids. Peggy & Beverly stayed here.
2-20-44: Worked on a jig saw puzzle for quite a while then spent the rest of the day getting the work done. Joseph was here for supper. Irvin helped him pack his ice.
2-21-44: I washed today. Sure a swell day. Pretty windy, clothes dried good. Myrtis & John were over at nite, I fixed Myrtis’ hair & then we played whist.
2-22-44: Went to town. Took Aunt D. some butter, she wasn’t home. Saw a deer with the horns of another deer locked in its. Fido started stayingoutside. B.O.
Spencer Family Christmas Card
2-23-44: Club at Myrtis’es. Myotle S. & I served. Pretty good crowd. Irvin went to Abd’n with Junior. Aunt Dorothy sent out a big box of home made candy.
2-24-44: I washed my blue gaberdine dress & tan one and a few things by hand. Irvin put a new generator in my iron. I ironed some & churned. Aunt Rose walked up for a while.
2-25-44: I finished the ironing and patched a couple dresses. Irvin & Richie cleaned the calf pen.
Larry, Richie, and Janice Spencer
2-26-44: Agnes & I went to Abd’n and got permanents. Ruth & Lute went too. Left here at 8:30. Went to a party at Donald’s (Donald was Kathleen’s brother) and Lute’s at night. Helen stayed with the kids. Kenny, Peggy, Beverly stayed here. Peggy stayed all nite.
2-27-44: Janice & I went to church with Agnes & Arty. Slept in afternoon.
2-28-44: Didn’t do much all day. Swell day. The kids walked down to see Aunt Rose. I made Janice a prof of Jodpurs out of an old pair of Irvin’s pants made a blouse Helen gave her smaller. Turned the chickens out for the 1st time this year.
2-29-44: Irvin went up to Dick’s and he & Dick went up and helped Joseph & Doris move. I patched overalls fixed Myrtis’ dress sleeves. Made a doll dress too.
3-1-44: Elmer was here. Irvin went to Claremont after the brooderhouse borrowed Moe’s trailer to get it. Walter helped him. Heard that Alex & Ruth’s house burned down last nite all they saved was the washing machine.
Kathleen With Granddaughter Terri Johnson
3-2-44: Janice went to visit school today. Irvin, Richie, & I went to town. Got my little chest drawers. Richie & I went up to Aunt Dorothy’s after we got the groceries. Irvin got a load of feed ground. Snowing a little tonight.
3-3-44: Tony & Dean stayed here while their folks went to Abd’n. Agnes went to see Eddie at Farragot, Idaho. I mopped & waxed the floors.
3-4-44: Went to shower for Ruth & Alex in Claremont with Marjorie. Helen stayed with kids.
3-5-44: Didn’t do much.
Irvin and Kathleen
3-6-44: Cold & windy. Frank came home with Larry from school & they stopped on the way home from sale in Aberdeen for him.
3-7-44: Cold & windy. Tony & Dean stayed here for a while. I made a pie for them to take home. Irvin went to town & got his income tax fixed out. Aunt Rose walked up for a while.
3-8-44: Nice day. Kinda windy. I washed. Myrtis came to get her hair fixed, while she was here, Aunt D came out. She gave me 2 old coats & 3 dresses.
3-9-44: We went to Aberdeen. Took the kids over to Myrtis’es. Got litter, etc. for brooder house. I got my rose bedspread & rug.
Janice (Spencer) Johnson, Kathleen (Daly) Spencer, Teresa (Johnson) Carlson, and David Carlson – Four Generations
3-10-44: I went over and helped Myrtis can beef. Spent most of the time making a white yarn dog.
3-11-44: Hung the upstairs bedding on the line and just dug out around here all day. Dick & Arty here collecting for Red Cross. Ruth & Bob got married.
3-12-44: Gabert came & bought a gobbler. We went over to John’s to see if they’d help put down the kitchen rug. John & Ed Tumby came over & helped.
Janice, Arlene (Wife of Larry Spencer), Kathleen, and Arlowyn (Wife of Richie Spencer)
3-13-44: Irvin went to town. It snowed quite a little last nite. He got the wrong can & check he found out when he got home. I finished the ironing.
3-14-44: Irvin went to Ernie Seligman’s sale. I washed my head. Sewed carpet rags. Patched Larry a pair of overalls. Irvin put down old rug & then put litter in the brooder house.
Kathleen and Granddaughter Debbie Spencer
3-15-44: John was over to see if we were going to the dance in Claremont for Alex & Ruth. He & Irvin went up & got his little brooder house. Peggy stayed here. They went to town also. Margie got me some groceries. Dick & Margie brought Kenny down here & we went to the dance with them. John & Myrtis & Jo & Doris brought Shirley out to stay with the kids. Had a good time. Got home at 15 to 4.
Janice, Kathleen, and Debbie
Janice, Kathleen, and Arlene
Arlene, Kathleen, and Debbie
3-16-44: Papa & Arty came down & helped butcher a beef. Miva & Reva & Bud & Margie came about noon & stayed all afternoon. Frank came home with Larry to stay all nite.
Kathleen and Dog
3-17-44: Irvin took 1/2 of the beef to Claremont to the locker then we went to Aberdeen to get our chickens. The kids stayed with Agnes. I got a pr. of shoes & presents for Ruth Dalt, Ruth Knecht, & Inez James.
3-18-44: Irvin & the kids went to town. Janice & Richie went home with Myrtis. They brought them home & left Peggy here while we went to a party at Irvin & Vineta’s. We all went in Dick’s car. J & M & D & M & I & L. Helen stayed with the kids.
Kathleen and Great-Grandson Corey
3-19-44: Same old thing. Didn’t do much. Myrtis came over & I fixed her hair.
3-20-44: Myrtis came over and helped cut up meat & can. Canned 20 qts. Cut up steak & put in a brine.
3-21-44: Washed today. Forgot to bring the machine in the house over nite so had a time getting it started. Churned too. Sewed buttons & snaps on Janice’s new dress. Boiled bones for soup.
(1945) –
(1947) –
