Spencer in McCook County, South Dakota — The American Midwest (Upper Plains)
Spencer Tornado Memorial
August 20, 2024
1. Spencer Tornado Memorial Marker, Side One
At 8:44 PM on May 30, 1998 a tornado swept through the town of Spencer and surrounding area. Six people lost their lives as a result of the tornado:
Beverly Bintliff
Irene Yost
Elizabeth "Betty" Burnham
Gloria Satterlee
Ronald Selken
Mildred Pugh
Life is a gift and gifts are never to be taken for granted. Life is God's gift to us.
Thousands of volunteers came forward after the tornado and helped this area with its immediate needs and long term recovery. We will be eternally grateful for their helping hands.
Topics. This historical marker and memorial is listed in this topic list: Disasters. A significant historical date for this entry is May 30, 1998.
Location. 43° 43.545′ N, 97° 35.635′ W. Marker is in Spencer, South Dakota, in McCook County. It is on Main Street north of 3rd Street, on the right when traveling north. Located by the Spencer Post Office. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 306 Main St, Spencer SD 57374, United States of America. Touch for directions.
Regionally, this marker and memorial is in East River and in Greater Sioux Falls. It is also in the American Midwest, in the Lewis & Clark Corridor, in the Corn Belt, on the prairies, and on the Northern Plains. Globally, it is in North America, the Western Hemisphere, the Western World, and the Anglosphere. Historically, it finds itself in what was once Ruperts Land and also the Louisiana Purchase.
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within 13 miles of this marker, measured as the crow flies: Roll of Honor (about 600 feet away, measured in a direct line); St. Peter's Grotto, (approx. 4.7 miles away); Town of Epiphany (approx. 9.3 miles away); Salem Rest Area
this page online
Also see . . .
1. Physical and emotional scars remain in Spencer 25 years after killer tornado - Mitchell Republic. (Submitted on September 2, 2024.)
2. The May 30, 1998 Spencer, South Dakota Tornado | sodakpb. (Submitted on September 2, 2024.)
3. Late-May 1998 tornado outbreak and derecho - Wikipedia. (Submitted on September 2, 2024.)
August 20, 2024
2. Spencer Tornado Memorial Marker, Side Two
August 20, 2024
3. Spencer Tornado Memorial, from the south
August 20, 2024
4. Spencer Tornado Memorial, from the north
August 20, 2024
5. Bell of church destroyed in 1998 tornado
Located about two blocks north of the memorial
"Bell from St. Matthews Lutheran Church
Established 1897
Destroyed in 1998 tornado"
"Bell from St. Matthews Lutheran Church
Established 1897
Destroyed in 1998 tornado"
Credits. This page was last revised on September 3, 2024. It was originally submitted on September 2, 2024. This page has been viewed 436 times since then and 29 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5. submitted on September 2, 2024.
