LaVerne "Pris" Spong

Pris graduated from high school at Wyandotte High School in Kansas City, Kansas, in 1960, then college at Ottawa University with a BA in Language Arts in 1964, and one year of graduate school in Language Arts at Stanford. Pris left Stanford to continue a courtship with Richard leading to a loving relationship and marriage on 4/10/1966 that lasted for 52 wonderful years. Even when it was hard to talk, her face would still light up with joy when she saw him.

Pris was very dedicated to her family. She taught high school language arts in Shawnee Mission, Kansas, to help put Richard through law school. She worked hard as a stay-at-home mother to raise her daughters until they started school. They remember innumerable trips to the library, playing school, and her amazing love and encouragement. Then she worked part time for the Joplin Globe as Newspapers in Education Coordinator until her daughters had reached junior high. She taught seventh grade language arts for 10 years at South Junior High School in Joplin, Missouri, to help provide funds for her daughters’ college education. When the joy of grandchildren began to arrive in Denver, Colorado, she convinced Richard that they needed to move to Colorado where she began caring for her grandchildren so that her oldest daughter could return to work. She acquired a new name, “Gram,” which we all love to say when we talk about her.

For many years, Pris did everything she could to make life vibrant and normal for her younger daughter, so that her daughter’s type 1 diabetes in no way defined her or limited her activities or goals. Although Pris did not have a degree in medicine or medical ethics, she powerfully taught her youngest daughter how to treat patients as people rather than as demonstrators of diseases or disease states. Even as Parkinson’s eventually limited her activities after 19 years, she fought it with grace, dignity, and tremendous strength. It never defined her. Pris was a powerful force for good and happiness, and that is what defined her.

Her husband and both daughters were with her at the end, and Cheryl sang the favorite family hymn, “Standing on the Promises.” Pris’ close friend blessed her and told her to be at peace just before she passed away.

She is survived by her husband, her rock, Richard Spong, Highlands Ranch, Colorado, her daughter, Cheryl Hampton (Trent), Centennial, Colorado, her three amazing grandchildren, Griffin, Drake, and Morgan Hampton, Centennial, Colorado, her younger daughter Katie Lozano, MD, FACR (John), Centennial, Colorado, and her brother, David Hiebert, MD (Gunda).

We know of no persons who are not better today because they had contact with Pris Spong. We miss her presence, but we are all so very glad that we knew her and loved her. Pris left her mark in the hearts and memories of her family and so very many friends.

Pris walked close to the path of God. Heaven is surely a better place today.

A Celebration of her life will be held 2/16/19 at 10 am (11 am reception) at High Line Overlook, Wind Crest, Arts and Entertainments Center, 2975 Summer Wind Lane, Highlands Ranch, Colorado.

In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made to the Parkinson Association of the Rockies, 1325 S. Colorado Blvd., Ste. 204B, Denver, Colorado 80222. https://parkinsonrockies.org/