Dave was one of the earliest friends to reach out to me and bless me as I arrived in S California back in 1961. My first wife and I asked him to sing at our wedding the hymn "Oh Lamb of God Still Keep Us". I can still vividly recall the second stanza he sang:
'Tis only in Thee hiding
We feel ourselves secure;
Only in Thee abiding
The conflict can endure;
Thine arm the victory gaineth
O'er every hateful foe;
Thy love our hearts sustaineth,
In all their cares and woe.
And the final stanza he sang is so deeply relevant to where my brother Dave is now —
Soon shall our eyes behold Thee
With rapture face to face;
And, resting there in glory,
We'll sing Thy power and grace:
Thy beauty Lord and glory,
The wonders of Thy love,
Shall be the endless story
Of all Thy saints above.
His loving way of preaching the gospel demonstrated his care for lost souls, and the hymn he wrote, "Unchanging Love", reflected his deep love for the Lord Jesus.
We lift Jiss and all the extended Spence family up in prayer for God's comfort in this time of mourning the loss of Dave. Love, Dave and Thelma.
Dave Gorgas
March 29, 2018
When I heard of Dave going home to be with his Lord and Savior, the sadness was overcome by the joy and thankfulness that Dave, Ken Brimlow and my husband, Tom Wilson are together with their Lord. I imagine them singing and praising Him, the way they did on the beach when they gave the gospel so many years ago. So thankful Dave was a part of that time, and thankful that we will all be together forever. Love and prayers his family. God Bless
Mary Anne Wilson
March 24, 2018
We are so sorry for you loss. Dave was a such a wonderful man. The thought I had of him as soon as I heard the news was, “Well done thou good and faithful servant.” His love and service was the most genuine and sincere. Jiss, you and Dave have touched countless lives to a deep level. I am forever grateful for you two and all that you have done. Prayers are continually going up for you in your loss. His song has never been so sweet as it is now. Take care. Much love to you.
Pam Nicolet
March 22, 2018
We are so sorry for you loss. Dave was a such a wonderful man. The thought I had of him as soon as I heard the news was, “Well done thou good and faithful servant.” His love and service was the most genuine and sincere. Jiss, you and Dave have touched countless lives to a deep level. I am forever grateful for you two and all that you have done. Prayers are continually going up for you in your loss. His song has never been so sweet as it is now. Take care. Much love to you.
Pam Nicolet
March 22, 2018
We are so sorry for you loss. Dave was a such a wonderful man. The thought I had of him as soon as I heard the news was, “Well done thou good and faithful servant.” His love and service was the most genuine and sincere. Jiss, you and Dave have touched countless lives to a deep level. I am forever grateful for you two and all that you have done. Prayers are continually going up for you in your loss. His song has never been so sweet as it is now. Take care. Much love to you.
Pam Nicolet
March 22, 2018
Bill and I send our love and condolences to the Spence family. Dave spoke at our wedding and his kindness, love, teaching and encouragement meant much to us and our family over the years.
Ava Warr
March 22, 2018
"Some Golden Daybreak"
"I'll Fly Away"
"What a Day that will Be" at that
"Meeting in the Air"
"Face to Face with Christ my Savior"
"Beyond the Sunset"
"When we all get to Heaven"...
"...to meet to part no more!"
We remember Dave singing all these hymns so beautifully, along with preaching the Gospel he loved whenever and wherever he could!
We send our sympathy to all the family. May our loving Savior sustain you each.
In His "Unchanging Love,"
Jack and Nancy Ryan
Anaheim, California
Jack and Nancy Ryan
March 21, 2018
Bill and I send our love and condolences to the Spence family. Dave spoke at our wedding and his kindness, love, teaching and encouragement meant much to us and our family over the years.
Ava Warr
March 21, 2018
So many memories, mostly from those days together in SoCal--Linda Ryan Patten, Laurie Brown Raden, John Erisman, Jean Harlow, John Spence and our son Dave--a big AMEN to what you've written! The opportunities to make music together were so special. And working together, like the time we (Dave, Dan, Tom Wilson and I) took an engine down to Ensenada, Baja California, to replace the worn out one in Ramon Alarcon's vehicle...down and back in 24 hours despite the motor mounts being in the wrong place, a "small" obstacle that Dave was able to overcome. So grateful for what God gave us then, and not too long before we're all together again "with Christ, which is far better!" Jiss, we're also grateful for the times we enjoyed with both of you at the Nunnikhoven family gatherings.
Gary Nielsen
March 20, 2018
So many memories, mostly from those days together in SoCal--Linda Ryan Patten, Laurie Brown Raden, John Erisman, Jean Harlow, John Spence and our son Dave--a big AMEN to what you've written! The opportunities to make music together were so special. And working together, like the time we (Dave, Dan, Tom Wilson and I) took an engine down to Ensenada, Baja California, to replace the worn out one in Ramon Alarcon's vehicle...down and back in 24 hours despite the motor mounts being in the wrong place, a "small" obstacle that Dave was able to overcome. So grateful for what God gave us then, and not too long before we're all together again "with Christ, which is far better!" Jiss, we're also grateful for the times we enjoyed with both of you at the Nunnikhoven family gatherings.
Gary Nielsen
March 20, 2018
I'm another one who appreciates "the Spence boys" from my growing up years in SoCal. Anytime we heard Dave singing, it was a treat--and even more so when he was playing the guitar, too. His talent and skill enriched us all. I always think of him when I hear "The Holy City", as I learned it first from him. (My thanks to Dave and John E. and Gary N. for teaching us singable music that sticks in my heart all these years later!) He was very patient and kind to those of us who were younger and who needed encouragement. After many years of not seeing one another, I saw Dave (and met Jiss) at a funeral in 2007. It was a warm, sweet, short reunion, a reminder to look forward to heaven for warmer, sweeter, endless reunions! May the "God of all comfort" be real to all who feel loss at Dave's Homegoing!
Linda Ryan Patten, Grand Rapid, MI
March 19, 2018
I've known the Spence's, John, Dan, and Dave, since 1952 when we moved to Des Moines. My brother Dan & I rode our bikes out to the Spence Apple Orchard several times to spend a Saturday with them, then they would bring us back to Des Moines in the evening. We grew up in the Des Moines Meeting and spent many happy times in the Young People's group's many activities, and always enjoyed it when there was a hymn sing because Dave would play his guitar. Other activates we shared were the Prison Ministry on Sunday afternoons and Street Preaching Saturday evenings. Young People's Meeting was every other Friday night. The Spence Farm was close to Ledges State Park, so, whenever the YP went there, it usually involved a side-trip to their place. Sometimes we ended up at their Farm/Orchard for supper & a hymn sing. I remember they had a watermelon patch too.
The last time I saw Dave was at Margaret Nunnikhoven's funeral in 2008, but we have communicated via email quite a bit since.
When Dave almost died from all the post-operation complications from his quintuple by-pass surgery in July of 2009, I reposted all of Jiss's updates on Dave to Facebook.
More recently, I really enjoyed listening to Dave & Jiss singing "Christian Cowboy."
Jiss & Family, know that we are praying for you all in this time of loss, that the God of all Sorrows will fill the void you are feeling in your lives now. "Underneath are the Everlasting Arms."
So looking forward to reuniting with both Dave & Dan soon in glory.
Don, Maryann & Darby Andersen
March 19, 2018
I remember my time with you in the past and are once again bearing you and your family up before the Great Comforter. I read your book and was in awe how the Lord brought you two together! Trust you feel the everlasting arms of the Saviour during this time. Hugs and love to all, Darlene
Darlene Harman-Brown
March 19, 2018
Dave, like his brother Dan, had an amazing gift for connecting with people, speaking truth with grace, love and compassion. There was a comfort, welcome and sense of place/home that I always felt as a young person when at either's home in SoCal. Both of these men, as well as a few others, are in my mind often when it comes to my own parenting or relationships - truth spoken harshly rarely moves even a small dirtpile, but truth with love, gentleness and understanding moves mountains. Dave (and Dan), like all of us, weren't perfect, but I know of few who exemplified Galatians 5:22-23 so well. Much love to all of the family. He is enjoying singing even more now.
Dave Nielsen
March 19, 2018
Dave lit up every room he entered and had an open heart for everybody, in good times and challenging times. I was just a gawky kid and he showed me such kindness at that age when you start going to young people's meetings but everyone there is older. Dave had great empathy and the love of Jesus just spilled out of his heart like a fountain. Of course, those wonderful guitar sings, on Monday nights, at Laguna Beach, CA, as I grew up were wonderful, always closing with, "God be with us til we meet again...." Now Dave is with the Saviour he served wherever he went. The whole family and extended family have my thoughts and prayers. Hope to see you soon, Dave! Love in our soon coming Lord and Saviour, Stan and Laurie Raden
Stan and Laurie (Brown) Raden
March 19, 2018
My husband and I loved this man so very much. He was such a comfort to us when our son Andrew died tragically. He sang at our wedding and our son's funeral. A dear dear man of God. We won't forget him and look forward to seeing him in heaven. Maybe soon, maybe today!
Ruth Pilkington
March 19, 2018
Jiss, our prayers and love go out to you and your family. And yet we have much to be thankful for and that is, that Dave is with the Lord and now singing in the presence of his/our Savior. May God comfort and keep you each day.
Dave & Denise Coe
March 19, 2018
My sincerest sympathies to the Family of David Spence, I always enjoyed talking with David and when entering a room he always had a smile to make anybody feel welcomed. I will miss him.
Jeff Hermanson
March 19, 2018
I (John) have especially fond memories of playing music with Dave for hymn sings (he was a much better musician than I) back in the 1960s and 70s in our Southern California days. Dave's passion for sharing the gospel of Jesus was evident to all who knew him and inspired many. We are praying God's comfort especially to Jiss, Aaron, Brenda and Shelley, and the rest of the family.
John & Marjorie Erisman
March 18, 2018
One of my best memories of Dave is the day my husband Dan, his middle brother passed away. My mother and myself were by Dan at that moment because Mom was worried about him, as we stood there, he went home and just at that moment Dave burst into the house after working in our area and trying to get there to see him that day. I looked up and said Dave, Dan is just seeing the face of Jesus right now! I have never shared such joy and sorrow combined like we did at that moment and have always so appreciated that the Lord sent him at that very second. Dave was God’s Strength to us when he had none of his own. This was who the Spence boys are and have been to so many! God has given them this gift and we all are blessed to know and see how they have used these Gifts for Gods glory. Dave, you will be greatly missed along with your brother Dan. Until we meet to part no more we praise the Lord for you and your testimony of Jesus and His Love.
Jean
Jean Harlow
March 18, 2018
One of my best memories of Dave is the day my husband Dan, his middle brother passed away. My mother and myself were by Dan at that moment because Mom was worried about him, as we stood there, he went home and just at that moment Dave burst into the house after working in our area and trying to get there to see him that day. I looked up and said Dave, Dan is just seeing the face of Jesus right now! I have never shared such joy and sorrow combined like we did at that moment and have always so appreciated that the Lord sent him at that very second. Dave was God’s Strength to us when he had none of his own. This was who the Spence boys are and have been to so many! God has given them this gift and we all are blessed to know and see how they have used these Gifts for Gods glory. Dave, you will be greatly missed along with your brother Dan. Until we meet to part no more we praise the Lord for you and your testimony of Jesus and His Love.
Jean
Jean Harlow
March 18, 2018
Dave is my “little” brother. There were three of us growing up in Madrid, Iowa on a farm – John, Dan, and Dave. We worked together and played together but only after the farm work was done. It was obvious early in Dave’s life that he had a gift for music something his other two brothers did not have. When Dave moved to California in 1960 he brought his guitar with him and used it to lead hymn singing in boy’s home work, prison work, and young people’s work. Dave was such a kind “people” person. He would do anything to help others and it was a great way to witness for the gospel of Christ. He was a great evangelist and shared the gospel wherever he went. Moving back to Iowa and working in the prisons there with Jiss as the Western Gospel Duet for 10 years was a wonderful way to complete his life. Esther and I send our love and sympathy to Jiss, the kids, and the grandkids. One of my daughters said, “Uncle Dave was my favorite uncle”. Dave is "absent from the body and present with the Lord" - It couldn't be better than that.
John and Esther Spence
March 18, 2018
Jiss and Family, We are SO sorry for your loss, but we know Dave is face to face with Christ his Savior. We will get to see him again when we are called to Glory. We will always remember the wonderful time of recording we had here at the house. Dave was such a Precious man and loved the Lord so much, and had such a heart for sharing the gospel with the lost. He was a real inspiration in many ways!!! He was a good and faithful servant!! Sorry we can't be there, but our hearts and prayers are with and for you all!!!
Dave & Doris Todd
March 18, 2018
Our thoughts and deepest sympathies are with you, Jiss, and with the entire family. We will remember Dave until we all see him again in the presence of our Savior, Jesus Christ. We’re sure that Dave is receiving his well-deserved “Well done, good and faithful servant...”
Mark and Laura Woodhouse
March 18, 2018
DearGhiislene. I am sending my sincere love and sympathy to you and the family. I remember his wonderful singing voice. And no doubt, his voice had bern used to reach out and comfort many of the prisoners and most of all your self. He, like Tom has gone just one step ahead of us! The Lord is coming SOON!
Leah Roach
March 18, 2018
Dave was a great blessing to many of us who grew up in southern California. His guitar playing enlivened many a get-together, and his ministry reached many a soul.
Mark van der Hoek
March 18, 2018
My deepest sympathy to all of the Spence family, Jiss, Aaron, Shelly, Brenda and his brother John. Dave was such a great person, loving, caring, and such a good friend. He will be missed by so many that he knew. Dave had a heart for the Lord, as well as for so many other persons who needed a shoulder to lean on, and I was one of them. May the Lord be with his family till we meet again. To be with Christ which is far better. Love to each of you. Mary Frances, Burbank, CA
Mary Frances Theis
March 17, 2018