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About Orpha Munson Spencer
Orpha Munson Spencer, 95, passed away October 12, 2025, in Mesa, Arizona. Orpha was born January 4, 1930 in Salt Lake City, Utah, to Lewis Leo Munson and Hortense Cope Munson.
Orpha grew up in Escalante, Utah, graduating from Escalante High School. As a young woman, she excelled in school. She played the saxophone in a dance orchestra and worked in her father’s general store.
On May 3, 1949, Orpha married Crae Kemp Spencer in the Manti, Utah LDS Temple. They lived in Escalante as Kemp was a rancher there. Two of their five children were born during this time.
They moved to Cedar City, Utah, where Kemp worked for Tucker Coal Company and Orpha helped out working as a seamstress. Two more children were born in Cedar City. When the coal mines shut down, they moved to Las Vegas, Nevada, where their youngest child was born.
They finally settled in Mesa, Arizona, where Kemp and two colleagues started a trucking business—RKW Trucking. Orpha continued her sewing business and even sewed for a bridal shop for a couple years.
Orpha was a devout member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints and served in various callings. She worked at the church’s Humanitarian Center in Mesa for many years.
Orpha will always be remembered for her love of sewing and especially for the many quilts she made for all her family, friends, and charitable organizations. She also loved to crochet and read, and was known for her homemade fudge and divinity. She made crafts and sewn items for holiday boutiques for many years. Her shop name was “Orpha’s Originals”.
Orpha is preceded in death by: her husband, Kemp; brothers Voyle and LoRell Munson; sisters LoRee Shurtz, Evelyn Lay, Lasca Woolsey, Vaunda Willis; grandson Kevin Spencer; granddaughter Jennifer Eaton; great-grandson Gunner Goodman.
Orpha is survived by five children: Donna Greco (Bruce) of Flagstaff, Arizona; Douglas (Connie); Brent (Pamela); Wayne (Debbie); Beth Berdene, all of Mesa, Arizona. Also: 20 grandchildren, 61 great- grandchildren, 5 great-great-grandchildren, two brothers, Lloyd and Howard Munson.
Funeral Services: Saturday, October 18, 2025 at 2:00 p.m.
The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints (Adobe Building)
745 N. Val Vista Rd.
Mesa, Arizona 85205
Viewing: Saturday, October 18, 2025, at 1:00 p.m.
Mesa, Arizona 85205
Arrangements by Bunker’s Garden Chapel, www.bunkerfuneral.com. Should this obituary appear anywhere but bunkerfuneral.com, please check our website for accurate details and service information.
3 comments
Denise Rowden
Mrs. Spencer was such a loving, caring, accepting & such a warm hearted woman. As a friend of her youngest daughter; I always felt welcome in her home. She did express so much love for her family & was an amazing example to all. She will be dearly missed & honored by so many. Thank you to her family for sharing her with me. You are truly a blessed family.
Muriel Fujimoto
Orpha was the most saintly woman I’ve ever known. She was like a mother to me my best friend Donna’s mother.
She was never idle, or it was always busy making quilts or making candies that she was always doing for others. She loved her family. She was an example of how Christ wants us to live. She will be greatly missed.
Chris Thomas
We love Sister Spencer and know she will be missed so much. My prayers go out to the family at this very tender time.