EVELYN SPRENGER

A most beloved matriarch, Evelyn C. Sprenger, age 94, passed away with family by her side on Nov 2, 2016. The youngest of ten children, she was born to Pauline and Joseph Wicinske on the family farm located in Neenah WI on Dec 16, 1921.

She spoke fondly of her childhood, recalling the one room schoolhouse she attended, rides in the pony cart to deliver milk cans to the dairy, and yes, barn chores. Her older siblings introduced her to dances at the Cinderella Ball Room.

Shortly after graduating from Neenah High School, she met her lifelong dancing partner, Willard “Sonny” Sprenger, and boy could they dance! They married Dec. 28, 1940, and as a young bride, with Sonny gone to serve in WWII, she continued to work for Kimberly Clark and raise their first born son alone. When Sonny returned from service, the family grew to include four more sons and finally one daughter.

Evelyn was a devout Catholic and lifelong member of St Patrick's Church in Menasha. She was proud of her Polish heritage and her parents sacrifice and determination to make a life for their family in this new country. Her work ethic was extraordinary. She never took anything for granted. Her greatest satisfaction in life was being a mother and making their house a home. She enjoyed working in her flower garden, and cooking and baking for her family.

Holidays were legendary at the Sprenger household, and she beamed with pride at the fact it was bursting at the seams with their children and grandchildren. She had class in spades and was a kind and generous soul. She liked to say “Nothing stays the same…everything changes”. Evelyn was deeply loved and will always be missed.

Evelyn is survived by sons: Ronald; Ken (Joyce); John (Patty); Joseph (Debbie); daughter Mary (Paul) Hilscher; daughter in-law, Yvonne Sprenger; grandchildren: Jeff (Connie); Curt (Vickie); Jody; Steven; Amanda (Jeremy); Adam (Ashley); Scott (Stacey); Jami (Alan); Olivia (Greg); Jesse; Noah; Luke; many great-grandchildren; four great-great-grandchildren; and many nieces and nephews.

Evelyn was proceeded in death by her husband, Willard; son Bill; infant son Timothy; and daughter in-law, Juliana Sprenger; two brothers, John and Ben Wicinske; and seven sisters, Anna Novotny; Clara Geiger; Martha Bednarowski; Mary Geiger; Agnes Peterson; Lucy Lenz; Rose Pawlowski; and two sisters-in-law, Esther (Shorty) Montonati and Doris (Harley) Bender.

The Funeral service for Evelyn will be held at 11:30 A.M. on Monday, November 7, 2016 at St. Patrick's Catholic Church, 320 Nicolet Blvd, Menasha, with Fr. Jim Hablewitz and Pastoral Leader Mary Krueger officiating. A visitation will be held at church from 10:30 until the hour of service.

In lieu of flowers, a donation can be made in Evelyn's name to Park View Health Center, Oshkosh, WI.

The family would like to extend a sincere thank you to the staff at Park View Health Center where Evelyn has resided for the last 4 years. Their caring and compassion has been exceptional and the family will be forever grateful.