Ruth Sparling

Ruth Emily Sparling, 93, of Fergus Falls died on Friday, September 14, 2007, at Glenwood Village Care Center in Glenwood, MN. She was born June 2, 1914, in St. Paul Minnesota, the daughter of John L. and Mae (Kvennes) Ham. She graduated from St. Paul Central High School and Cable Secretarial College in St. Paul. On September 29, 1945 she married Byron Hannay at the Knox Presbyterian Church in St. Paul. They resided in Minneapolis until moving to Fergus Falls in February, 1947. Ruth worked at a stenographer in Fergus Falls, working part-time for the Parole Officer of the Youth Conservation Commission (YCC) and for many years worked for the Lakeland Mental Health Center. Mr. Hannay, who worked for The Equitable of New York, Kinnard Securities, and was president of the Jenoff Company, died on April 7, 1984. Ruth was a member of Grace United Methodist Church where she taught Sunday school and Vacation Bible School, and served as the Financial Secretary for a number of years. She was a member of Chapter BU of P.E.O.. She was a leader of Camp Fire and Blue Birds for many years, representing that organization to the United Fund where she served as secretary for three years. She enjoyed traveling, golfing, ice skating, walking, knitting and creative embroidery work. On August 25, 1985, she married Everett A. Sparling at the Grace United Methodist Church in Fergus Falls. They enjoyed traveling and wintered in Arizona until they moved to Pioneer Pointe in 1997. Everett died on October 16, 1998. Ruth moved into Pioneer Home in 2000. Others preceding her in death were her parents, two brothers, Clarence A. Ham, John E. Ham and nephews James R. Ham and Todd Rossi. She is survived by nephews Jerry Ham, John (Jeane) Ham; nieces Jane (Ham) Reents (Gary), Judy (Ham) Andrews (Barry), Wendy (Ham) Rossi (Terry) and Joyce (Ham) Porter (Mike), Susan Ham, widow of James and by many grand nieces and grand nephews. Visitation: 12 - 2 p.m. Monday at the church Service: 2 p.m. Monday at Grace United Methodist Church in Fergus Falls Clergy:     Reverend Dr. Daren Flinck Interment: Knollwood Memorial Gardens in Fergus Falls Funeral Home: Olson Funeral Home in Fergus Falls Memorials are preferred to the Pioneer Retirement Community or Grace United Methodist Church in Fergus Falls. Condolences may be sent online at www.olsonfuneralhome.com