SPARENBORG, Hilka 1850-1932

SPARENBORG, SCHETSBURG

Posted By: Tammy (email)
Date: 9/6/2015 at 14:12:56

Mrs. Heere Sparenborg Dies Friday After Long Illness

Mrs. Heere Sparenborg died at her home in Grundy Center Friday morning following infirmities of old age. She had been an invalid for several years. She was a continuous resident of Grundy county for 52 years, coming here with her family from Freeport, Ill., in 1890. She resided on a farm in Lincoln township until the family moved to Grundy Center 22 years ago.

Funeral services were held at the home Monday and later at the German Presbyterian church with the local pastor, Rev. K. J. Stratemeier, officiating. Burial was in the Lincoln Center cemetery.

Obituary
(By Rev. K. J. Stratemeier)
Mrs. Heere Sparenborg, nee Hilka Schetsburg, was born March 18, 1850, at Pilsum, Ostfriesland, Germany. She was united in marriage to Heere Sparenborg in 1875. They came to this country in 1881, settling first near Freeport, Ill. Thence they came in 1890 to Grundy county and resided for some time on a farm in Lincoln township. For twenty-three years they had been living in Grundy Center.

This happy union, all the more cemented and held together because of the cultivation of deep religious interests and convictions, was severed about a year and a half ago when Mr. Sparenborg was called from the scenes of this life on January 3, 1931. After that her infirmity of long years standing increased rapidly and having been confined to her room for a number of years, she now became almost utterly dependent upon the care of the children, who with love and devotion ministered thoughtfully to her needs until her death. The end came quietly a little before six o'clock Friday morning, July 8, 1932. Her pilgrimage extended over 82 years, 3 months and 21 days.

She leaves to mourn her departure the children: C. J. Sparenborg, George of Woden, Iowa, Lottie, Sophie, Harm, Mrs. George Purvis, Warner, and Mrs. E. H. Hendricks; 19 grandchildren, one great-grandchild, and one sister, Mrs. Dirk Albers of Cleveland, Ohio.

Together with her husband Mrs. Sparenborg united with the First German Presbyterian church May 16, 1908. She was a member also of the Ladies Aid of the church. Years ago she experienced such a striking conversion of her soul unto Christ that the memory of that day brought a constant refreshing inuence to her religious life throughout these years. Hallowed by vivid recollections of this event, she could express her experience in these familiar lines:

"O happy day that fixed my choice
On Thee, my Savior and my God!
Well may this glowing heart rejoice
And tell its raptures all abroad.
He taught me how to watch and pray
And live rejoicing every day;
Happy day, happy day,
When Jesus washed my sins away!"

--The Grundy Register (Grundy Center, Iowa), 14 July 1932, pg 6