Obituary of Ruby Ann Sparks

Ruby Ann Sparks, 84, formerly of Colfax, died peacefully on August 9, 2015, at Park Centre in Newton. Pence – Reese Funeral Home in Newton has been entrusted with the arrangements. Ruby, the daughter of Huron and Ida Belle (Timmons) Price, was born July 27, 1931, in rural Jasper County, Iowa. She graduated from the Monroe High School, Class of 1949. On September 7, 1950, Ruby was united in marriage to Harold Sparks, Jr. at the Little Brown Church in Nashua, Iowa. A lifelong resident of the Jasper County area, she lived in Colfax, prior to moving to Park Centre. She was employed by Skiff Medical Center and at the Van Dusseldorp Sand and Gravel in Reasnor. She devoted her life to her family as a homemaker, and loved spending time hunting with her husband. She enjoyed the outdoors, gardening, flowers and hunting mushrooms. She was preceded in death by her parents; her husband Harold on July 26, 1995; her son-in-law Dennis Conn; a sister Irene Farver; and her brother Hubert Price. In lieu of flowers memorial may be made to Ruby’s Family, in her name or to the Ronald McDonald House in Des Moines. At Ruby’s request there will be no services. Those left to honor Ruby’s memory include her daughters: Cynthia Conn of Altoona, Teresa Sparks of Newton and Janice (Paul) Berry of Newton; her five grandchildren: Chad (Molly) Vriezelaar, Marci (Sam) McIlrath, Jennifer (Matt) Oswalt, Stephanie Conn (Blake Swihart); and Travis Vriezelaar (Tania Baker); her seven great grandchildren and one great-great granddaughter.