At 8:44 PM on May 30, 1998, a tornado swept through the town of Spencer and the surrounding area. Six people lost their lives as a result of the tornado: Beverly Bintliff, Irene Yost, Elizabeth "Betty" Burnham, Gloria Satterlee, Ronald Selken, and Mildred Pugh. Thousands of volunteers came forward afterward and helped the area with its immediate needs and long-term recovery, inspiring enduring gratitude for their helping hands.