Dorothy Alma Sparby (Lippe)

“I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith. Now there is in store for me the crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous Judge, will award to me on that day - and not only to me, but also to all who have longed for His appearing.” (2 Timothy 4:7-8)
Dorothy A. Sparby, age 85, of Mosinee went home to her Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ on March 26, 2021 with her family by her side.
Dorothy was born on January 6, 1936 in Chicago, IL to Martin and Alma (Svehla) Lippe. She received the washing of rebirth and renewal by the Holy Spirit through the sacrament of Holy Baptism in July 1937 at St. Phillip’s Ev. Lutheran Church in Chicago. In April 1953 she was confirmed in her Christian faith at Irving Park Congregational Church in Chicago. She graduated from Roosevelt High School in Chicago and attended Central State College in Stevens Point, obtaining her rural education degree. She taught first grade for two years at the Rib Mountain Grade School.
When she was 13 years old and visiting family in the Mosinee area, she caught the eye of a local boy, Martin Sparby, Jr. They were united in marriage on June 16, 1956 at Immanuel Ev. Lutheran Church, Mosinee. They were married for 55 years, until Martin’s death in October, 2011. The Lord blessed them with five children.
Dorothy loved her Lord and enjoyed serving her church in many ways, including playing the organ for 50 years at Immanuel. She was also a lifelong member of Ladies’ Aid, Fellowship Club, Altar Guild, Lutheran Women’s Missionary Society, serving in various leadership roles. She also served at Alpha Center as a pregnancy counselor. She worked at Lee’s Piggly Wiggly in Mosinee. For the past several years she volunteered her time at the Dime and Dollar stores in Wausau and Stevens Point.
She enjoyed traveling, visiting many countries, taking multiple cruises. She was an avid gardener, loved cardinals, polka and bluegrass music, playing cards, and garage sales. She was always looking for a deal and most likely had a “spare’ for everything.
She is survived by her five children: Rodney Sparby, Eileen (Mike) Benz, Donald (Linda) Sparby, Roger (Paulette) Sparby, and Sannee (Chris) Utecht; five grandsons: Matthew (Melissa) Benz, Jonathan (Sandy) Benz, Zachary Lange, Jacob Sparby, and Elliott Sparby; four great-grandchildren: Sam, Amelia, Joshua, and William Benz; numerous step grandchildren and step great-grandchildren; as well as many nephews and nieces.
In lieu of flower, memorials in her name are preferred to Immanuel Lutheran Church’s Memorial Fund.
Services will be held at 11 a.m. Wednesday, March 31, 2021, at Immanuel Lutheran Church, Mosinee. The service will also be livestreamed on the churches Facebook page. The Rev. Andrew Ewald will officiate. Burial will be in Mosinee Cemetery. Visitation will be from 4 p.m. to 7 p.m. Tuesday and again from 10 a.m. Wednesday until time of services all at the church. A recording will be available for viewing after the service at www.bestefh.com, that is also where online condolences can be left for the family. Beste Funeral Home, Mosinee, is assisting the family with arrangements.

The family wishes to thank the Aspirus Hospice Care Team for their compassionate care.