Helen R. Sprenger

1918 - 2016

Helen R. Sprenger passed away Saturday night, Aug. 13, 2016, at Tri-State Memorial Hospital. She had fallen and broken a hip on Tuesday and died from pneumonia and infirmities of age.

She was born June 29, 1918, to William and Mary Von Tersch in Ferdinand. She lived most of her early years on the prairie and graduated from Cottonwood High School. She attended beauty school in Lewiston and later worked in Uniontown for the Hafer family. She and Frank Sprenger met at a dance, and they were married Aug. 30, 1939, at the parish house in Genesee. Frank's sister Mary Scharnhorst prepared a dinner and a homemade wedding cake to celebrate the occasion. They made their home on his farm in rural Genesee for their entire married life.

Mom was a good cook, seamstress and a fastidious housekeeper, and was equally so about her appearance when she went out. Her favorite things were ham and chocolate and not much else.

She continued to live on the farm until eight or nine years ago, when she moved to Clarkston. She lived on her own until moving to Royal Plaza Assisted Living two years ago. She always wanted to return home to the farm, though.

Survivors are daughter Janet Sprute (Tom) of Lewiston; daughter-in-Law Rita Sprenger of Beaverton, Ore.; granddaughters Shannon Spicciati (Alan) of Auburn, Wash., and Kelli Shuster (Dave) of Beaverton; great-grandsons Andrew and Sam Spicciati of Auburn, and Nate and Ian Shuster of Beaverton. She is also survived by a special niece and helper, Betty Fuller of Clarkston.

She was preceded in death by husband Frank in 1993; son Stewart in 2003; her parents; and her brothers and sisters-in-law, Arlie and Ramona Von Tersch and Jim and Vera Von Tersch.

The Rev. Joe Schmidt will officiate at a 10:30 a.m. memorial Mass Friday at All Saints Catholic Church, 3330 14th St., Lewiston. A luncheon will follow in the adjoining social hall. Private burial has taken place at the Moscow City Cemetery. Those wishing to donate may do so to Interlink Volunteers, 817 Sixth St., Clarkston, WA 99403.

Short's Funeral Chapel of Moscow is handling arrangements.