Lori Jo Spurgeon

Lori Jo (Otis) Spurgeon passed away after battling cancer for the 3rd time on Thursday, March 3rd, 2022. 

Lori was born to Fran (Fisher) and Charles Otis on March 12th, 1966, in Herington, Kansas.

Lori grew up in Herington Kansas and graduated as Salutatorian from Herington High School in 1984 where she played tennis and basketball all four years. Lori graduated from Washburn University (Topeka, Kansas) Sum Cum Laude with dual degrees in Journalism and History in 1989.  At Washburn, Lori was a member of the Kappa Alpha Theta sorority, where she served as President in her senior year. While at Washburn, Lori was a member of Nonoso and was Copy Editor and Staff Writer for the Washburn Review.

After college, Lori worked for a short time as the Copy Editor for a small newspaper in Lebanon, Missouri.  Then, Lori worked for 10 years as a Community Relations Coordinator for St. John’s Regional Medical Center in Joplin, Missouri.  More recently – after deciding to stay at home to raise her daughters, Erin and Megan, through their formative years – Lori returned to work, first as a substitute teacher in Rio Rancho Public School district, then as a history teacher at Mountain View Middle School.

Lori married Larry Spurgeon in Topeka, Kansas in July of 1989 and enjoyed 11-years of married life before she delivered the first of her biggest blessings into this world, Erin (22).  Erin Elizabeth was born in Joplin, Missouri and flourished as the family relocated to Texas, New York and, finally, beautiful New Mexico.  Erin is a Senior at UNM and scheduled to graduate with a double degree, like her mother, in December 2022. Megan Elizabeth is a true New Mexican born in Albuquerque, who Lori has mothered into a fine young lady. She is now a sophomore at V Sue Cleveland High School in Rio Rancho.  Both Erin and Megan have played tennis in High School, just like their mother.  They were the primary focus of Lori’s life – sharing kindness, smiles and laughter on a daily basis. Lori cradled her daughters with unrelenting love and unending kindness.

Over her life, Lori lived in Kansas, Missouri, Texas, New York and New Mexico.  She was able to see many great corners of the United States, from the rocky beaches of Maine to sandy ones in Southern California.  Lori visited both Disney World and Disney Land. She enjoyed traveling to several international destinations like Niagara Falls Canada, Matamoras, Mexico and Ghent, Belgium.  Lori loved planting spring annuals and maintaining her beautiful roses. 

Lori is survived by her husband (Larry) and two daughters Erin and Megan, all of Rio Rancho NM; her sister Pam and husband Chris Molz of Olathe, Kansas; her sister Kristi and husband Matt Kling, and nephew Henry and niece Natalie Kling all of Minneapolis, MN; her mother Fran Otis of Herington KS.  Lori was preceded in death by her father, Charles Otis, God Bless their souls. 

Lori was a wonderful wife and mother and always known as a kind and gentle person with recognizable character and charm.  She will be dearly missed but remembered through the memories of all the people whose life’s she has touched.  Lori was an Angel on earth, and now in Heaven.