VERENA BAINBRIDGE SPARKS

Visitation will be held 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. on Wednesday, March 28, 2018, at Buresh-Bennett Funeral Home located at 121 S Washington St. in Hale, MI (989-728-2511). The funeral will be held at 1 p.m. with Rev. Melvin Leach officiating. Following the service, a light lunch will be served nearby.

Verena was born in Boon, Mich., on Jan. 12, 1923, to Clyde and Leonore Bainbridge. Leonore died when Verena was 11 years old and she was obligated to quit school and help at home. Verena met Albert at her aunt’s house in Flint, Mich., May of 1941. Verena and Albert married three months later on Aug. 2, 1941 in Mesick, Mich.

Verna and Albert lived in Flint, Mich., until Albert was called to serve in WWII, and also after the war was over. Verena was a full-time mother of three, a homemaker and seamstress. She was a Cub Scout den mother and volunteered at many school functions. After the boys were raised, she served in the hot lunch program until Albert retired in 1974.

Verena and Albert spent over 40 years in retirement in Glennie, Mich. Her lack of a high school diploma always bothered her, so she went back to school. In 1982, at the age of 59, she celebrated her graduation from Alcona High School with family and friends. Verena was an active charter member of the Glennie Lioness Club and served as an officer. She and Albert served the Curtis Citizens Watch for 17 years.

Verena was a near perfect wife, mother, grandmother, relative and friend, as everyone who knew her will attest. She was first to volunteer and not one to complain. She and Albert loved to travel and visited nearly every state in the U.S., including Alaska, and Canada. They also loved to snowmobile and ride their four-wheeler. They harvested nearly one deer a year, and maintained a large garden.

Verena is survived by her husband of 76 years, Albert (Swede) Sparks; her three sons: Gary (Jan), Keith (Sandy), and Roy (Vicki) Sparks; 10 grandchildren, 17 great-grandchildren, and one great-great-grandchild.

Verena is preceded in death by her parents, as well as her sister, Ruth Bearse, and brother, James Bainbridge.

In lieu of flowers memorial donations may be given to Glennie Lions Club, PO Box 152, Glennie, MI 48737; or Glennie United Methodist Church, PO Box 189, Glennie, MI 48737.