Deloris Ann “Pete” Sparing passed away during the early morning hours of Wednesday, March 27, 2013 at the age of 82 at St. Peter’s Hospital. She had spent the previous 4 days with her family maintaining a loving vigil at her side. Pete was born July 28, 1930 in Helena. She was the third child of 4, and the youngest for 11 years to Blanche Violet (Bouley) and Forrest Aden Green. She grew up in the family home on Hiawatha Street in the Kenwood Edition. Pete was given the nickname of Piccolo Pete by a family friend at a very young age, and it stuck. She has been Pete ever since.
She attended Kessler Elementary school, the same school her mother attended. The next 3 generations of her family also attended Kessler School with two of her great-grandchildren still there. She attended and graduated from Helena High School in 1948. During her high school years she worked at the Parrot Confectionary and “Ma Bell” as a telephone operator.
Pete married her loving husband, James Edward “Eddie” Sparing Sr. on November 27, 1948. They were married for 62 years when Eddie passed away in 2010. They were blessed with two children, Jim and Susan. Pete and Eddie made their home in Helena. Pete’s most important job was staying at home and taking care of her family while her children were growing up. Once Jim and Susan were older but still at home, Pete worked part-time at American Federal Savings.
During the early years of their marriage, Pete and Eddie enjoyed bowling, camping with family, fishing, hunting (bagging an elk with her trusty .243), and playing cards with family and friends. She was a talented seamstress and an amazing cook. Pete was well known for her smooth gravy and ability to “whip up a pie in the wink of an eye.” She also acted as a care-taker for many over the years including her grandmother and parents. It was through these relationships that she learned so much family history that she has readily shared with so many.
When her children were grown and began to have children of their own, Pete got great joy spending time with her grandchildren at her Rimini home. Pete and Eddie always had room in their queen-size bed for any grandchildren that wanted to snuggle. Pete would always indulge all requests of her grandchildren and was easily talked into making “the works” for breakfast.
During their retirement, Pete and Eddie much enjoyed travelling with the Mountain West Bank Summit Club and visiting friends and family members around the country. They also received the greatest joy from being so involved in the lives of their grandchildren and great grandchildren.
Grandma Pete was thrilled when she became blessed with great grandchildren that she got to spoil and care for. Her Great Grandchildren had the privilege of developing a special bond with grandma Pete and will greatly miss her. She was known as “Grandma Pete” by not only her family, but also many neighbor children and friends that held a special place in her heart and home.
Pete was preceded in death by her parents, her husband Eddie, and son-in-law Bob Smart.
Pete is survived by her son Jim (Cindy) Sparing Jr of Helena and daughter Susan Smart of Chittenden, VT. She is also survived by her grandchildren: Michael (Blair) Smart of Nashville, TN; Sherryl (Noah) Sanders of Nashville, TN; Michele (Brad) Russell of Helena; Jamie (Nick) Bright of Helena; and Kurtis Sparing of Great Falls. Grandma Pete is also survived by 5 great-grandchildren: Austyn and Ashleigh Crum and Ryan and Abby Yeske, all of Helena, and Tegegn Sanders of Nashville, TN.
Her legacy also includes her sister Myrtle Prohaska of Seattle, WA; sister Phyllis LeFevre of Casper, WY; brother Forrest (Karen) Green of Cody, WY; and brother-in-law Leonard (Ina) Sparing of Helena. Pete is also survived by many nieces, nephews, cousins, and friends.
We were not ready to say goodbye to you, Grandma Pete. We love you so very much and miss you even more.
Public visitation will be from noon to 5:00 p.m. Tuesday, April 2nd at Anderson Stevenson Wilke Funeral Home. Funeral services will be 1:30 p.m. Wednesday, April 3rd at the funeral home. Burial will follow at Sunset Memorial Gardens Cemetery. A reception will follow the burial in the fellowship hall of the funeral home.
Service Schedule
Visitation
12:00 p.m. to 5:00 p.m.
Tuesday April 2, 2013
Anderson Stevenson Wilke Funeral Home
3750 N. Montana Ave.
Helena, Montana 59602
Funeral Service
1:30 p.m.
Wednesday April 3, 2013
Anderson Stevenson Wilke Funeral Home
3750 N. Montana Ave.
Helena, Montana 59602
Burial
Following the Funeral Service to Sunset Memorial Gardens Cemetery
Wednesday April 3, 2013
Helena, Montana
Reception
Following the Burial
Wednesday April 3, 2013
Anderson Stevenson Wilke Funeral Home
3750 N. Montana Ave.
Helena, Montana 59602
Service Schedule
Visitation
12:00 p.m. to 5:00 p.m.
Tuesday April 2, 2013
Anderson Stevenson Wilke Funeral Home
3750 N. Montana Ave.
Helena, Montana 59602
Funeral Service
1:30 p.m.
Wednesday April 3, 2013
Anderson Stevenson Wilke Funeral Home
3750 N. Montana Ave.
Helena, Montana 59602
Burial
Following the Funeral Service to Sunset Memorial Gardens Cemetery
Wednesday April 3, 2013
Helena, Montana
Reception
Following the Burial
Wednesday April 3, 2013
Anderson Stevenson Wilke Funeral Home
3750 N. Montana Ave.
Helena, Montana 59602
Marilyn Emmons says
Dear Jim and all,
I am very sorry to hear your Mom has passed away. She was always so good to me and my family and recently tried to help me come to peace with Bob’s death. Jim, she told me that she is very happy that you are involved in your church. She said you are a really good son and person. I hope that memory helps you.
Thank you for bringing her to Philip’s wedding. I feel fortunate to have seen her there. Love, Marilyn
Jamie (Sparing) Bright says
Grandma Pete-
You’ve blessed me and my children with many amazing memories!!!! Please continue to look after us and let us feel your presence. We love you so much and even though you left us way too soon, I am so very thankful that you were able to escape without a prolonged illness. Thank you for all that you have done for us.
Ryan and Abby were looking forward to their next root beer float date with you…..they rub it in often that you allowed them to order extra large root beer floats……I’m just not as nice as you. I make them get smalls. Haha!!!
I have so many great memories of you and papa: camping in Poulson, playing in the tent at Rimini home, riding around in papa’s blue pick-up, the smell of your root cellar, snuggling in bed (all 5 of us in your little bed), huge breakfasts, fishing in the creek, the perfect sandwiches you made (cut into mini squares), playing keno at restaurants, you coming to every school program, big family dinners, your amazing caramels, long chats, playing skip-Bo…….endless wonderful memories! Thank you!!!!
Nick and I would love to be able to continue the tradition at your Rimini home. Please watch over us as we make an attempt to purchase that home.
Jamie (Sparing) Bright says
Love you!!!!!
Ali (Nistler) Poelman says
Prayers for you All
Denise De Wolf Martin says
Dear Sparing Family, I am so sorry to hear of you moms passing. I want you to know how much it meant to see her recently at moms funeral and before that when Stacie died. To catch up on family and friends. She was a wonderful person and I have so many fond memories of our child hood growing up in Kenwood and at Kessler. We had such a wonderful childhood, playing baseball every day in the summer and playing kick the can in the evenings. Our families were so close then, and it was so nice to reunite temporarily at such sad events. Now you are again saying good by to a parent and I am so sorry, My love and prayers to your family.
Jeanne Kerr Hiltabrand says
Jim and all the family:
You know Mom and I have been friends forever. I’m so sorry for your loss and send my love to all of you. Helena will not be the same without Pete there to keep me updated on all the news. My prayers will be with you during this difficult time.
Dave Dreher says
Jim and family,
My thoughts and prayers are with you. I am so sorry to hear of your loss. May peace be with you all.
Noah Sanders says
Dear Susan (and family),
I will miss Grandma Pete and remember her fondly. I really enjoyed seeing her when she came up to NYC and was glad she was able to meet Tagen.
She was a kind, loving and generous woman who will be missed by all. My thoughts are with you.
Carol Bridge says
Jim, Cindy and family, My thoughts and prayers are with all of you during this difficult time. I have some fond memories of Pete and some of our visits. Blessings and Hugs to all Carol Bridge
Don and Marva Luraski says
Susan,
So sorry about the loss of your mother. I have to be in Lewistown until Friday. Sure wish we could see you and give you a big hug.
Love Don and Marva
Lee Sanders says
Susan and family,
Amy and I are saddened to hear of the passing of your mother.
We met her at Sherryl’s wedding and made an instant connection
that will be missed.
Doreen Snow (Hall) says
Jim and Susan
So sorry to hear of Aunt Pete’s passing. I have the best memories and having Aunt Pete and Uncle Eddie in my life at a very early age. I always felt unconditional love from them. I will treasure those always, and thank the Lord everyday for such a special person to have helped guide my life in loving ways. Love Doreen
Chick Rolling says
JIM and CINDY: Just a note to express condolences to your family. I am certain that all have so many good memories to recall, it will lessen the sad times you are now experiencing.
Chick
Barbara (Nyre) Lindberg says
Sending my love and prayers, I have such fond memories of our childhood and your folks – and our many friends in the neighborhood.
Barb