Elmer Darwin Sparby, age 85, of Arkdale, Wisconsin joined the Lord in heaven on Monday, June 25, 2018, at Fair View Nursing Home in Mauston, Wisconsin.
Funeral services will be 3:00 p.m. on Sunday, July 8, 2018, at the Arkdale Trinity Lutheran Church in Arkdale, Wisconsin. Pastor Terri Skildum will officiate. Interment with military honors will be at the West Arkdale Cemetery. Visitation will be 12:00 Noon until the time of service on Sunday at Arkdale Trinity Lutheran Church.
Elmer was born to Emil and Esther (Rasmussen) Sparby on March 2, 1933, in Starks, WI. He was baptized and confirmed in the Missouri Synod Lutheran Church and attended the Dellwood school. His family farmed and when Elmer was 18 he joined the US Army/National Guard and worked at General Motors. Elmer married Arlene Buchanan on March 15, 1960, in Janesville, WI. In 1963 Elmer and Arlene bought the home farm where they raised 6 children. When Elmer wasn’t with his family or working on the farm, he was working at the Townsend Pallet Factory. After that, he worked as a bus driver in the Adams-Friendship Area Schools for 30 years. Elmer was a member of the Arkdale Trinity Lutheran Church where he served on the church council, taught Confirmation and Sunday School. Besides being active in the church, Elmer was a member of the National Farmers Organization. Throughout the years he shared his farming passion with all of his family but farmed with his son Todd and grandson Cade in his later years. On the farm, his favorite breed was shorthorn cattle and he had always dreamed of having a team of dapple Grey horses. Elmer loved the woods and even thought he was a professional logger at times. Elmer also enjoyed auctions, where he sometimes bought things that he did not need, but always found joy in bringing them home. He was always willing to help others and accepted help from those people in times of need. Some of these included situations from stories we’ve all heard, of compromised travels and other unique occasions. Elmer enjoyed playing games with his family and friends. He called himself the checker champion and Sunday Night card games were always the highlight of his week. His door was always open to visitors and in his later years, we never found him without his red and whites. Elmer strongly believed that he was a rich man because of the family God gave him, and he believed that this greatest legacy was his family.
Elmer will be celebrating his life in Heaven with his Parents, Brother Robert Sparby and Sister-In-Law Beverly, Brother Don Sparby, Sister Sadah Jacobson, 3 Infant Siblings, Grandson Rance Sparby and Grandson In Law Patrick Stainbrook. Elmer is survived by his wife: Arlene Sparby Daughter: Lori (Eldon) Henthorne Daughter: Lisa (Kal) Parker Son: Todd (Debbie) Sparby Son: Thad (Jennifer) Sparby Daughter: Liana Glavin Daughter: Lenna (Seth) Hamilton 20 grandchildren and 9 greats Sister-in-Law: Arlene Sparby Brother-in-Law: Jake Jacobson Many nieces, nephews and greats.
Wonderful man that treated everyone like family! He will be missed by many. Our prayers are with you all during this difficult time.
My most sincere sympathy to Arlene and the Sparby family, our lifelong good neighbors, and a part of our farm family.
Another angel called home. Great neighbor & friend. Will be greatly missed by all. Prayers to family.
To the Sparby family, We are sending our sincere condolences at this difficult time. It doesn’t matter how old our parents are when they pass, it is hard because they are our parent. Hold each other close and share all the memories you have of Elmer. You are in our thoughts and prayers.
Our thoughts and prayers are with you all. Time passes much too swiftly.
My condolences to Elmer’s family. I enjoyed working with him in the 70’s. I learned much about the work world from him. He will be missed.
Arlene, Lori, Lisa & all of the Sparby Family – We are so sorry for your loss. You are in our hearts & prayers, May God help you through this sad time. Hans & Dorothy
Our prayers and condolences to your entire family! God bless!
The Pease Family
So sorry for your loss. Elmer was good ole boy, will be missed by many.
Arlene and family, we send our sincere condolences for your loss. Remember the good times and cherish those memories. God Bless.
So sorry for your loss. Elmer was one of the most wonderful men we have ever known. He will be missed.
Our condolences Blondie Boop and the rest of the family also.
Deepest Sympathy to the whole family. Elmer was an amazing man.
Thinking of all of you.
Arlene and Family, We send our love to you!
MY HEART IS BROKE, I’M SURE WITH ALL THE LOVE HE HAD FOR HIS FAMILY,GOD HE WILL RIP IN GOD’S ARMS
So sorry for your families loss. I have great memories of the time I spent on your farm as a kid. May you all find comfort in your memories with him!
So sorry to hear of Elmer’s passing. He was my boss at the pallet factory and was great to work for. We worked hard there but he made the shifts go by quickly with his humor and his guidance.
Our thoughts and prayers are with all of Elmer’s family. So sorry for your loss, he was such a good man.
Elmer was such a kind man. The world needs a few more Elmer’s in it. Our thoughts and prayers are with the Sparby family.
What a well written obituary for a good man. May God bless your memories.
Arlene and family. I am so sorry for your loss. You are in my thoughts and prayers.
I extend my sympathy to the Sparby family. Elmer was one of my Sunday School teachers, and I still recall some of the topics that he brought to the class for discussion. I also have memories of Elmer as my final bus driver in high school. But my favorite memories are of the Sparby family in general. Elmer was right. He was a rich man. God bless you all.
What a nice tribute to a wonderful family man. Our sympathy to you all.
Our sympathy is with Mrs. Sparby and all the family. Mom, Dad and I were glad to get a few chances to visit with Elmer this spring. It was nice to catch up and remember the good old days too. God bless him and be with you all now.
I was so sorry to hear of Elmer’s passing. He was a wonderful person and raised a family he was mighty proud of. Please know that his entire family is in my thoughts and prayers.
So very sorry for your family’s loss! Hold his memories close and his voice and knowledge even closer…hugs and prayers to the family …from the Morleys!?
So sorry to hear of his passing. He was a great man. Hold onto those wonderful memories. Prayers to the family…
I’m so sorry to hear of the loss of one of my favorite neighbors and bus drivers! Elmer always had a good sense of humor with us kids, and I will always remember him at auctions, and sitting and eating with lambs jumping around in the kitchen, and joking with us on the bus about being big enough to walk up our road but then not making us when it was snowy. My thoughts are with the Sparby family.
May the love of family and friends wrap their arms around the entire Sparby family. He left a wonderful legacy of love as evidenced by his large extended family. Hold tight to your memoriesand he will live forever in your heart.
Sincere condolences to all the extended Sparby family. Hugs from Oregon.
Great man. Hold your memories close. May God, family and friends comfort you during this difficult time.
Elmer fought a hard battle. When he was home. always busy. Raised a very hard working, good family. Praying for His Comfort & His Peace
Our hearts go out to the Sparby family. May you know your in our thoughts and prayers. Cherish your memories and knowing he’s by our Lord and loved ones that have left you, will give you comfort. God’s peace~
So sorry for your loss. He was a great bus driver and a fixture in the community. He was a great bus driver for the kids. Always knowing where the kids belonged even if they were on his bus by mistake. Keep all those great memories close.
Deepest sympathy to all of you! He will be dearly missed by so many people!!,
Sincere sympathy to the entire Sparby family. Hold tight the memories that you have and let them help you heal. I remember many good bus rides with your dad. He always found a way to make them fun.
So sorry for your family’s loss
I did not know Elmer but I know some of his kids and that being said he must have been quite a great guy.
I’m sorry for your loss and know that he is in a great place where we all will meet again someday.
God Bless the Sparby family.
So sorry to hear of Elmers passing. We loved him and admired him. Such a thoughtful person . We all had him for our bus drivers. Wonderful friend. God Bless him now and always. Patty Schiefer and family. If there’s anything we can do just ask.