Rosalia “June” (Nighswonger) Sparr, age 93, passed away with family present at her home on Thursday, Aug. 6, 2020. June was the only child born to Fred T. Nighswonger and Mollie L. (Averill) Nighswonger on Oct. 28, 1926, at home in Conway Springs.
June moved to Viola, sitting in her rocking chair on a wagon pulled by horses when she was 4 years old. She attended grades 1-8 at Viola Grade School. After another move to Clearwater, June attended Clearwater High School, graduating in 1944. During her school years, she participated in band playing the clarinet. June’s interest in music also had her singing in chorus and playing the piano. Following high school, June attended Emporia State Teacher’s College for three summers, obtaining a wartime teaching certificate. June taught in one-room country schools for three years.
On July 21, 1946, June married her high school sweetheart, Kenneth Sparr, at his parents’ home in rural Clearwater. She and Kenneth resided on a farm south of Clearwater until the time of their deaths. They welcomed two daughters, Linda on September 16, 1947, and Connie on April 22, 1952. June shared the farm duties with Kenneth, hauling wheat to the elevator as well as plowing and discing in the field.
June was active in the Rebecca Fellowship Lodge, the Clearwater First Christian Church, CWF, and HDU/EHU/FCE. She received a 70-year membership pin from the Family and Community Education Group and continued to be a member at the time of her death. June spent many hours tending to her flowers through the summer of 2019.
June was blessed with five grandchildren, 10 great-grandchildren, and three great-great-grandchildren, which provided her great pride and joy and entertainment. They all gave her the fuel to keep going in her later years.
She was preceded in death by her husband of 63 years, Kenneth; parents, Fred and Mollie (Averill) Nighswonger; daughter, Linda Housh; and great-grandchild, Payton Mitchell. Survivors include her daughter, Connie (Larry) Craig of Clearwater; son-in-law, Lyle Housh of Hutchinson; and grandchildren, Curtis (Pam) Mitchell, Carla (Steve) Wegerer, Lynetter (John) Wilkening, Scott Craig, Amy (Brice) Zogleman, Tammy (Chris) Dreiling, and Shannon Housh.
A private family service was held at 10 a.m. Monday, Aug. 10, at Webb-Shinkle Mortuary Chapel, Clearwater. Interment was in Clearwater Cemetery.
In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to First Christian Church, 524 Wood, Clearwater, KS 67026, or Serenity Hospice, 9415 E. Harry St. #306, Wichita, KS 67207.
Leave online condolences with Webb-Shinkkle Mortuary at www.wsmortuary.com.
