Juanita Sparks

Juanita was born in Beecher, Wis., to Clarence and Claire (Kallenbach) Butterfield. She was the eldest of four children, and helped raise her brothers after the passing of her father when she was 9 years old.

At 17, Juanita met the love of her life. She married Robert Sparks on Nov. 15, 1952. Together, they had five children, fulfilling her dreams of being a wife and mother.

Juanita loved spending time with her family, playing cards, country music, and dancing. She enjoyed rides in the woods to look for a bear or moose when the weather was nice. In her later years, Juanita enjoyed sitting outside with “her” deer — watching the birds and squirrels.

After almost 30 years of volunteer work at the VA hospital, Juanita was awarded the Presidential Achievement Award.

She is survived by her children: Robert (Sophie) Sparks of Crivitz, Wis., Cheryl (Aldo) Bennigsohn of Athens, Ala., Denise (Steve) Oien of Galesville, Wis., and Trudy Sparks of Niagara, Wis.; and additionally five grandchildren; six great-grandchildren; two sisters-in-law; and several nieces and nephews.

Juanita was preceded in death by her husband, Robert; her daughter, Marcia; her great-granddaughter, Coreen Estrella; and her brothers and their wives.

Private graveside services will be held in the spring at a later date.

Friends may leave condolences and tributes to Juanita’s family online at www.jacobsfuneralhomes.com

The family has chosen Jacobs Funeral Home-Niagara Chapel in Niagara to honor Juanita’s legacy of life.