Mary Anna (Kilburg) Sprank

Mary Anna (Kilburg) Sprank, 92, of Springbrook, passed away on Wednesday, May 15, 2024 at Mill Valley Care Center.  Funeral Mass will be at 11:00 am, Monday, May 20, 2024 at Sts. Peter & Paul Catholic Church in Springbrook.  Visitation for Mary Anna will be held at 9:00 am – 10:45 am prior to Mass at the church on Monday.  Graveside Services will be at 2:30 pm at St. Joseph’s Catholic Cemetery in Bellevue.

Mary Anna was born June 5, 1931 in Jackson County, the daughter of Anthony and Rosella (Feller) Kilburg.  She married Peter Sprank on November 21, 1950 at St. Joseph’s Catholic Church in Bellevue, he passed on March 13, 2019.  Mary Anna attended Country School Jackson District #9.  Mary Anna (Marian) was a humble, organized, busy woman who wanted no attention brought to herself. She supported and encouraged her family's endeavors and successes rather than hers. Her first life's choice was raising her family and farming with her husband. That choice included cooking thousands of meals, gardening, canning and milking cows morning and night for lots of years. Next she chose to care for many more people - both young and adult - by working in the baby room at St. Nicholas and in the kitchen at Mill Valley.

Marian's home kitchen always had 'a little something' ready to eat. Many loaves of bread, buns, and cinnamon rolls came out of her oven and disappeared. For anyone who had time to sit down, there always seemed to be a hamburger on the stove and a piece of pie ready at any hour of the day. For those who were 'on the run' there was a 'handful' (or a container ) of cookies -most likely monster- or perhaps an Oh Henry bar, ready to grab and go. If anyone left her house hungry it was their own fault.

When not in the kitchen, Marian took the time to sew a quilt or crochet an afghan for each of her children and grandchildren. She perfected her sewing skills by sewing clothes for her children and patching many pants and coveralls! She was always ready to help wherever needed - canning, babysitting, painting, husking sweetcorn, pitting cherries, digging potatoes - whatever anyone was doing at the time.

Many things brought her enjoyment. A chauffeured ride on the country roads of Jackson County or a side by side joy ride on a farm or a road trip for no other reason than a Peanut Buster Parfait or a ride in a combine or watching a grandchild's ball game/concert or dancing to polka music were enjoyed just as much as a change of scenery by a trip to Mexico, California, Las Vegas or Hawaii.

Mary enjoyed a good game of euchre anytime/anywhere whether with her family or her 'card ladies' of the most recent years. They never let her miss a game they could possibly get her to. She truly appreciated their thoughtfulness the last few years.

Marian/Mom/Grandma had a few sayings that applied to many situations: 'Get a good night's sleep, things will look different in the morning.' and 'Things never stay the same for very long.'

And Mom - As you would have told us - Call when you get there!!!

Survivors include her children; Joyce (Robert) Clarin, Dale (Janet) Sprank, Glen (Gerianne) Sprank, Kate (Charlie) Wojciechowski, Joan (Tery Ehrenberger) Hoffman, Clyde (Carol) Sprank, Sandra (Paul) Gerlach, Duane (Alice) Sprank, and Lori (Ron) Kilburg; 20 grandchildren; and 37 great-grandchildren; siblings and in-laws, Frieda Ernst, Larry (Julie) Kilburg, Patsy Ernst, Betty (Duane) Ernst, and Jeanette Sprank; and numerous nieces and nephews and extended relatives.

Mary Anna was preceded in death by her parents; her husband, Pete; siblings and in-laws, Orville (Ivis) Kilburg, Leanna (Eldon) Sieverding, Lillian (Cletus Stillmunkes and Albert Knake) Knake, Rosemary (Orville) Roling, Sylvester (Mary Lee) Kilburg, Cletus (Linda) Kilburg, Donald Ernst, Gregory Ernst, Leo Sprank, Clara (Charles) Lucke, Martha (Sylvester) Schwager, Mavis (Leo) Meier, Edna (John) Leonard, and Ardo Sprank.

A memorial fund has been established in Mary Anna’s memory.  Online condolences may be expressed to the family at www.hachmannfuneralhome.com