Myrtle E. William Sparenberg Prussner of Clifton and formerly of Reddick passed away on Friday, May 31, 2019. She was born October 12, 1926 in Hoxie, KS, daughter of Ada R. Selbe and Lorenzo L. William. She attended a country school for 2 ½ years, then Hoxie Grade School and Sheridan High School. She then attended Kansas City Secretarial School and worked in Kansas City. On October 5, 1947 she married Wayne L. Sparenberg at the Methodist Church in Hoxie, KS. Following his discharge from the Naval Air Corp in 1948, they moved to a farm in Danforth, IL where they farmed for 45 years, retiring to Ashkum, in 1991.
They had four sons: Jerald, Dennis, Carl and Bill. Wayne passed away May 10, 1993. Myrtle served in many positions in the Ashkum United Methodist Church and was part of many mission trips to Mexico. She was happiest when serving others wherever the Lord called her. Myrtle enjoyed sewing and photography.
On June 28, 1997, she married C. Ray Prussner of Reddick, IL where they lived until 2018. They continued the mission work they loved in Mexico, Red Bird Mission in Kentucky, Alaska and Chile as well as several places in the United States. Her biggest joy was her church and her family.
Survivors include three sons and four daughters-in-laws: Jerald (Doris) Sparenberg of Schertz, TX, June Sparenberg of Bryan, TX, Carl (Marcy) Sparenberg of Danforth, and Bill (Jean) Sparenberg of Clifton. Ten grandchildren, Christine (Jerry) Cappezutti of Cedar Park, TX, Andrew (Stacy) Sparenberg of Canyon Lake, TX, Keith (Monica) Sparenberg of Houston, TX, Karen (Ed) Ray of Round Rock, TX, Kari Sparenberg of Bryan, TX, and Kristin Sparenberg of College Station, TX Paul (Liz) Sparenberg of Brighton, MI, Jill (Jeff) Burdick of Richmond, VA, Amy Sparenberg of Decatur, Aaron Sparenberg of Schaumburg. Twelve Great- Grandchildren, Savannah Smith & Zabrina & Nathan Sparenberg, Jessina & Kate Sparenberg & Kyle Jaskula & Ava & Jayda Sparenberg, and Madeline & Charlotte & Jack & Henry Sparenberg. One step-son David (Debi) Prussner of Bourbonnais, two step-granddaughters, Lora Haven (Steve Keys) of Momence, Missi Olson of Lisle. Two sisters-in-law, Frances William and Helen William and one brother-in-law, Harold (Arvilla) Taylor all of Hoxie, KS. Also surviving is sister-in-law Joyce Sparenberg of Gilman along with numerous nieces and nephews.
She was preceded in death by her first husband Wayne, one son Dennis, and one grandson Kyle, her parents, two sisters Norma Ackerman and Ina Taylor and two brothers Ronald and Donald William and one step-son Randy Prussner.
Visitation will be from 4:00 – 8:00 p.m. on Tuesday, June 4, 2019 at Knapp Funeral Home in Clifton. Funeral services will be held at a later date.
Memorials may be made in lieu of flowers to Ashkum United Methodist Church or Kankakee Valley Hospice.
