Spencer, Iowa (NorthwestIowaNow.com) – The Potter’s Field at Riverside Cemetery, long overlooked, is finally receiving a dedication. This Thursday at 12 noon, a memorial will be unveiled for the dozens of individuals buried there without markers or fanfare.

That’s Mike Harlaman, a concerned Spencer citizen with years of service to the city and county, and he teamed up with Bob Rose, another constant supporter of anything related to Spencer, as they spearheaded fundraising, City Manager Kevin Robinson, who was the previous Superintendent at Riverside Cemetary, and current Superintendent Ed Lawver started researching what records they could find,

So far, 22 names have been identified among those laid to rest. These individuals may have been transient or patients from the former Clay County Poor Farm. Lawver suspects there could be near 60 or more bodies in that small area.

Thanks to the efforts of Harlaman, Rose, Robinson, Lawver as well as Southside Monument Company and Spencer Concrete, a permanent memorial will be placed to remember those once forgotten in Riverside Cemetary.

If you would like to donate to this project or future projects, contact the city of Spencer.