Obituary of Virginia Sparks

Longtime Cheyenne Wells, Colorado resident, Virginia Theresa Sparks, went to be with her Lord and Savior on March 20, 2011 at the Cheyenne Manor. She was 85 years old. Virginia was born August 16, 1925 in Frenchtown, Ohio to the late Chelcie and Alfreda Neargarder. Virginia met her husband, Millard Sparks, on a blind date in Chicago, Illinois where Millard was stationed in the Navy. They were married June 26, 1948 in Piqua, Ohio and spent their honeymoon traveling to their future home in Firstview, Colorado where they lived for several years before moving to Arapahoe, Colorado. In 1971 they moved their family to Cheyenne Wells. Due to health reasons, Virginia decided to move to Cheyenne Manor in January, 2010. She loved living at the Manor and was happy to call it her home. Virginia loved to bake breads and can produce from her garden. She entered her canned foods and baked goods in the Cheyenne County Fair every year until her arthritis made it impossible to continue. Over the years, Virginia collected hundreds of prize ribbons for her entries and was especially proud of her purple Grand Champion ribbons. She was known throughout the county for her home made cinnamon rolls and canned dill pickles. Virginia loved talking about her children and grandchildren and their accomplishments. She always made it a point to introduce them to the residents at the Manor whenever they came to visit. Virginia’s children and grandchildren were her pride and joy and referred to her family as her greatest accomplishment. Virginia was a member of Sacred Heart Catholic Church and past member of the Sacred Heart Altar Society and the VFW Auxiliary. In addition to her parents, Virginia is also preceded in death by her husband, Millard; two brothers, Donald Neargarder and Marion Neargarder; and a sister, Rita Schmitt. Virginia is survived by her children, Linda Velten and husband Bob of Denver, Colorado; Cheryl Schulte and husband Rick of Sterling, Colorado; Wayne Sparks and wife Val of Amarillo, Texas; Deb Sparks of Boise, Idaho; Donna Plummer and husband Joe of Moscow, Idaho; Terri Buethe and husband Jerry of Tescott, Kansas; and Steve Sparks of Colorado Springs, Colorado; seven grandchildren, Jeff, Brandon and DJ Sparks; Jessica and Danielle Buethe; and Anthony and Samuel Plummer; one brother, Carl Neargarder and wife Ruth of Frenchtown, Ohio; two sisters, Dorothy Beers and husband Don of Hamilton, Ohio; Ilene Lange and husband Leroy of St. Henry, Ohio; brother-in-law Les Schmitt of Covington, Ohio; sister-in-law Joan Neargarder of Versailles, Ohio; and a host of nieces and nephews.