Lurene Adele Spear

Lurene Spear of Midland, Texas passed away peacefully in her home on the morning of Sunday, September 3rd.

Lurene Adele Cirankewich was born in Three Hills, Alberta Canada on December 7th, 1963, to Henry and Bertha Cirankewich. At the age of eight, she and her family immigrated to the United States, settling in Chandler, Arizona. She was a phenomenal student, earning a full-ride scholarship to Arizona State University, and becoming the first in her family to attend and graduate college. Upon graduation, Lurene moved to Midland to begin her career with Exxon and soon met her husband and the love of her life, Shane Spear. Together, they raised two sons into adulthood and witnessed them marry beautiful wives of their own. She ended her career working for the taskmasters at the Spear Brothers Group where she shone as an IT Specialist, Special Projects Coordinator and Enforcer of Thankful Thoughts.

Lurene enjoyed many things, and excelled at writing, hospitality, and baking an assortment of delicious goods. Lurene was THE BEST MOM EVER (and we have the preschool plate to prove it!) and a very loving wife. Most importantly, Lurene had a deep, intimate relationship with her loving savior Jesus Christ.  Even more important than sharing cookies, she LOVED sharing this Divine relationship with others.  Lurene modeled His love in her faithfulness as a spiritual mentor, helping those around her discover and pursue God’s will for their lives. During her life, Lurene imparted invaluable wisdom to her friends and family. One of the messages that she most loved to share was the importance of thankfulness in all circumstances. A lesson that, even through her sickness, she practiced with integrity, praising the Lord without the slightest hesitancy or complaint.

Lurene had many passions including her famous “Wall of Tea.”  She was also fond of dropping quotes from Jeremiah (the Old Testament prophet, not the bullfrog because, really – I never understand a single word he said) for her beloved ladies’ group and cell group.  Lurene was an avid Pokémon Go player and enjoyed competing with family and friends in raids and field research tasks.  Lurene also enjoyed learning new languages.  The first foreign language she learned was West Texan (as distinguished from English/Canadian) where she soon discovered that saying “I have to pay now!” did not mean she had to go to the ladies’ room.  Her last language attempt was Spanish which, in true Lurene nature, she was learning to communicate with her newest daughter-in-law’s family.  (The difference between “Mucho Gusto” and “Muy Guapo” may have been lost on her but her male in-laws didn’t mind!)

Despite her husband’s antisocial temperament, Lurene enjoyed hosting groups for many years, including scouts, home groups, youth groups, prayer groups and Teen Challenge Re-entry gents.  She was famous for her organizational skills which included labeling EVERYTHING (she even labeled the guacamole which – as everyone knows – is incredibly obvious but we suspect that since she didn’t even like guacamole – was done to warn others of its presence!)  Lurene will forever be remembered for her Chocolate Cake Fridays where friends of her kids would converge on the house and consume the cake with the magic icing!  (The friends would even request cake well after the youth had graduated.  Really Bo – asking her to bake that cake for your 24th birthday????)

Her family and friends miss her dearly. She is survived by her husband Shane Spear, her son Walker Spear, and his wife Mayra Spear, her son Quinn Spear and his wife Elizabeth Spear, her sisters Neva Bochenek (Jim), Sheila Bramlet (Ryan), and Cheryl Finch, and a plethora of friends and family whose lives have been touched by her generous and caring heart.

A memorial ceremony will be held at Mid Cities Community Church on Friday, September 8th, 2023, at 10:00 AM.

In lieu of flowers, please send memorial donations to Teen Challenge Adult Centers of Texas, (https://www.teenchallengeadult.com/), a local charity near and dear to Lurene’s heart.

Arrangements are under the direction of Nalley-Pickle & Welch Funeral Home & Crematory of Midland.  Online condolences may be made at www.npwelch.com.

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