Iowa Old Press
Algona Upper Des Moines
Algona, Kossuth co. Iowa
October 17, 1944
HEART ATTACK IS FATAL TO MRS. D. D. SPARKS SATURDAY
Mother of Twelve Children, Nine Survive - Family Lived in Cresco
Township 29 Years.
Just before noon Saturday, Mrs. D. D. Sparks, Hobarton,
was stricken with a heart attack and though she was brought to
Algona immediately for medical treatment, nothing could be done
for her and she passed away within twenty minutes of the attack
of coronary thrombosis. Funeral services will be held Thursday at
the home at 2 o’clock and from the Baptist church here at
2:30. Rev. R. E. Kittrell in charge. Burial will be in Riverview
cemetery.
Came Here in 1915
Luella Blanche Brown was born at Boone, Iowa, March 16, 1899,
daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Lewis Juddson Brown, farmers. She
received a common school education and in 1915 came to Kossuth
county, Cresco township. On October 2, 1918, she was united in
marriage to Donald Dean Sparks and for twelve years they lived on
her father’s farm, now known as the W. H. Martin place, then
for four years on the Jas. Devine farm, and then they moved to
the present Sparks farm, near Hobarton.
Nine Children Survive.
To this union were born twelve children, nine of whom, with the
husband and father, survive. They are George Lewis, Ottawa,
Kansas; Mrs. Frank E. Green, Seattle, Wash.; Darrell Franklin,
St. Cloud, Florida; Lois, Ottawa, Kansas; Everett Dean, Charles
William, James LeRoy, Eleanor Jane, and Florence Paulline, at
home. Children who have passed on are: Dellie Franklin, aged five
months; Betty Ann, aged 14, who was killed in a truck accident on
January 16 of this year; and Donald Dean, aged five weeks.
Brothers, Sisters Survive.
Also surviving are four brothers and two sisters: Walter E.,
Francis J. and Leonard S. Brown, of Boone; Mrs. Archie J.
McDaniel, Algona; Mrs. R. A. Watkins, Ames; and Kenneth E. Brown,
of Los Angeles.
Mrs. Sparks had suffered from asthma the past several years and
only two weeks ago returned from Nebraska after spending a month
there in hopes for relief from that malady. Upon her return home,
there had been a family reunion enjoyed in the Sparks home, all
of the Sparks children having been present. And all of the
children will be present at the funeral services Thursday, as
will also all of Mrs. Sparks’ brothers and sisters.
Mrs. Sparks was a member of the Cresco Mothers and Daughters Club
and the Baptist Church at Algona. A woman loved and respected by
all who knew her, a loving and understanding mother and wife, her
untimely passing is deeply mourned by an entire community.
BANCROFT PILOT AWARDED MEDAL FOR AIR FIGHTING
An Eighth Air Force Liberator Station, England —
Second Lieutenant Harold E. Presthus, son of Mr. and Mrs. Hans
Presthus of Bancroft, a pilot on a B-24 Liberator, has been
awarded the Air Medal. (photo of the lieutenant included with
this news article)
The presentation was made by his group commander, Colonel Jacob
J. Brogger, at this Eighth AAF base in England. The citation
reads: “For meritorious achievement in accomplishing aerial
operational missions over enemy occupied Continental Europe. The
courage, coolness and skill displayed by him in the face of
determined opposition materially aided in the successful
completion of these missions. His actions reflected great credit
upon himself and the Armed Forces of the United States.”
Lt. Presthus entered the service Aug. 28, 1942, according to the Bancroft
Register.
Robert W. Peterson - Great Lakes Graduate
According to word from Great Lakes, Ill., Robert W.
Peterson, 17, son of H. W. Peterson, was a graduate there
recently after an intensive course in basic engineering.
[transcribed by L.Z., July 2015]