Larry Neal Sparks, 73, died after a courageous battle with advanced Lewy Body Dementia and health complications at Waldron Place Senior Living in Hutchinson, Kansas. He was born December 16, 1950, in Standardville, Utah to Andrew and Jackie (Jensen) Sparks.
Larry graduated from Granger High School in Granger, Iowa in 1968 and attended Morningside University in Sioux City, Iowa. He made many friends when he worked in Oelwein for Donaldson Co and Clete and Connie’s lounge. He retired in 2020 from Life Line Emergency Vehicles in Sumner, Iowa where he helped to custom build ambulances. Everyone who knew him, knew he was a was a huge Iowa Hawkeye fan, with optimism for each game even against the odds. He enjoyed attending many Iowa football and basketball games in his younger years, and especially loved traveling to the Iowa Hawkeye Football Bowl Games. He enjoyed living his last years supporting his grandchildren by attending many sporting, dance, and school events in Hutchinson, KS.
Larry is survived by: children, Brian Sparks (Julie) of Altoona, IA, Kirsten Paulsrud (Brad) of Hutchinson, KS, and Caroline Sparks, Decorah, IA; grandchildren, Anika, Lila and Drew Paulsrud, Megan Meyer (Ryan Thompson) and Adam Howie (Abby); and great-grandchildren, Macy and Molly Meyer, Avery, Reese, and Corbin Howie.
He was preceded in death by his parents.
Memorial service will be 11:00 a.m. Saturday, June 1, 2024, at Zion Lutheran Church, 402 E. Charles St., Oelwein, IA, with Rev. Josh Schunk officiating. A reception will follow at the American Legion Post #9, 108 1st St SW, Oelwein, IA.
Memorial may be sent to the Cerebral Palsy Research Foundation, in care of Elliott Mortuary, 1219 N. Main, Hutchinson, KS 67501 or online at www.cprf.org.