Evelyn "Ernie" Ernestine Zaring

   Evelyn Ernestine (Ernie) Spencer Zaring, age 98, passed January 29, 2023 in Wichita, Kansas. Graveside services will be held 11:00 a.m., Saturday, February 4, 2023 at Newton Burial Park, Nevada, Missouri.

   Ernie was born into a farming family on May 12, 1924 in Walker, Missouri to Ernest and Ada Bell (Duff) Spencer. She graduated from Walker High School on a Thursday and married her high school sweetheart, Forrest R. Zaring, two days later on Saturday, May 16, 1942. Ernie and Forrest were married 64 years at the time of his passing in 2006. Two daughters, Judy Benjamin and Beverly Zaring, were born to that union. Ernie cared for their youngest daughter Beverly, who had special needs, until her passing at the age of 40.

    Ernie was quite the seamstress. She made her own clothes while growing up and later sewing outfits for her granddaughters. She was an amazing cook. Ernie had a passion for gardening and floral design. She also enjoyed interior design, which was evident by her beautifully decorated and immaculate home.

    Ernie was preceded in death by her beloved husband Forrest Zaring, of Raymore, Missouri; daughters: Judy Benjamin, of Wichita, Kansas and Beverly Jo Zaring, of Belton, Missouri; great-grandson Justin Gray, of Augusta, Kansas; son-in-law Carlos Benjamin, of Wichita, Kansas; parents Ernest and Ada Spencer; four sisters: Naomi Newkirk, of Sacramento, California; Mildred Haynes, of Belton, Missouri; Bessie Butterfield, of El Dorado Springs, Missouri; and Donna Harms, of British Colombia; two brothers: Billy Spencer, of Walker, Missouri and an infant brother Erick Eugene.

   Survivors include two granddaughters: Dona (Patrick) Flynn, of Wichita, Kansas and Julie (James) Quinn, of Wichita, Kansas; great-grandchildren: Riley, Roman (Samantha), Rachel Quinn, and Matthew Flynn, all of Wichita, Kansas. Ernie is also survived by her nieces and nephews.

  Ernie was a member of Belton Christian Church for many years before moving to Wichita, Kansas to be near her family.