Oklee - Stella Sparley, 83, died Tuesday, August 11, 1998 at Northwest Medical Center in Thief River Falls.
Funeral services were held on Saturday, August 15 at 10:30 a.m. at Oak Park Lutheran Church in rural Oklee with Stella's son, Reverend Steven Sparley officiating. Burial was in the church cemetery.
Stella Christine Ringstrand was born on October 17, 1914 in Winger township of Polk county, the daughter of Vigor and Dora (Olson) Ringstrand. She was baptized as an infant and confirmed in 1956. She attended school in Thief River Falls, graduating from Lincoln High School in 1932. The family moved to Minneapolis where Stella was employed by Minneapolis Moline Company, working on war production.
Stella was united in marriage to Owen Sparley in Minneapolis. The couple lived in Alma, WI, Rochester and Richfield. After her children were grown Stella worked as an aid at Elliot Elementary School in Richfield for 15 years. In 1981 the couple moved to Ocala, FL and resided there until 1991 when they moved to Cottage Grove, WI. Due to deteriorating health conditions, Owen has resided at the Minnesota Veterans Home in Minneapolis since 1994. Stella moved to Oklee to live with her son and family in 1998.
Stella is survived by her husband, Owen of Minneapolis; one son, Reverend Steven (Janice) Sparley; five grandchildren; and one niece.
She was preceded in death by her parents; two infant sons; one brother, Lester; and one nephew.