Rita Sparks Obituary

Rita Louise (Kramer) Sparks

Apr 18, 1929 - Dec 21, 2023

Milan

Rita Louise (Kramer) Sparks, 94, of Milan, passed away Thursday, Dec. 21, 2023.

Rita was born April 18, 1929, in Norwalk, to Charles M. Kramer and Olive M. (Ott) Kramer. Rita was a 1947 graduate of St. Paul Catholic High School. She was a loving housewife and mother of five children. Rita married Paul T. Sparks on May 1, 1948, and they shared a wonderful 72 years of marriage together. Rita ran a beauty shop from her home and worked for Vacationland Federal Credit Union. In her spare time, she enjoyed tending to her flower and vegetable gardens. Rita also loved sewing, baking, knitting, crocheting, rug making, and most of all, spending time with her grandchildren. Upon retirement, Rita and Paul would spend several winters in the "tinbox" in Florida. Rita and Paul also traveled to a variety of destinations including Alaska, Hawaii, Myrtle Beach, and cruises to the Caribbean and Panama.

She is survived by her children, Susan R. Lindenberger of Norwalk, Catharine R. Barnard of Norwalk, Timothy (Lynn) Sparks of Milan, and Thomas (Cindy) Sparks of Milan; grandchildren, Matt Sparks, Amy Lindenberger, Brian, Brent, and Brandon Barnard, and Hope and Jimmy Sparks; and 10 great-grandchildren.

Rita was preceded in death by her parents, Charles and Olive (Ott) Kramer; siblings, Florence Wagner, Robert Kramer, and Dorothy Kramer; son, Paul T. Sparks Jr.; and loving husband, Paul T. Sparks.

Rita's family would also like to thank the nursing staff at The Willows at Willard for their loving care.

Visitation will be 11 a.m. - 1 p.m. Thursday, Jan. 4, 2024, at Walker-Eastman-Heydinger Funeral Home, 98 West Main St., Norwalk. Funeral Mass will follow at 1:30 p.m. at St. Anthony Catholic Church, 145 Center St., Milan.

Memorial contributions can be made to Stein Hospice, 1200 Sycamore Line, Sandusky.

Online expressions of sympathy may be made by visiting www.walkereastmanheydingerfh.com.