Vernice “Sprig” Sporrer, 82 of Templeton, died Sunday, November 17, 2013 at Manning Regional Healthcare Center.
Mass of the Christian Burial will be celebrated at 1:30 p.m. Wednesday, November 20, 2013 at Sacred Heart Catholic Church in Templeton. The Celebrant will be Fr. Steven Brodersen. Con-Celebrant will be Fr. Randy Schon. Mass Servers will be Madelyn and Megan Bauer. Music will be by Jeanne Kerkhoff and the Sacred Heart Men’s Choir. Lector for the funeral mass will be Bob Danner. Gift Bearers will be: Jeanne Danner, Becky Sporrer, Cory Danner, Carter Danner, Danielle Wiederin, and Harley Wiederin. Eucharistic Minister will be Lorena Grossman. Casket Bearers will be: Loran Sporrer, Danny Schon, Dave Schon, Glenn Schon, Greg Clawson, and Keith Irlmeier. Burial will be in Sacred Heart Cemetery in Templeton with military honors conducted by the Dedham American Legion and the Manning V.F.W.
Friends may call at Sacred Heart Catholic Church in Templeton after 3:30 p.m. on Tuesday where there will be a rosary at 4 p.m. and a Christian Wake Service at 6:30 p.m. Visitation will resume at the church at noon on Wednesday until time of the funeral mass.
Funeral arrangements are under the direction of the Sharp Funeral Home in Carroll and online condolence may be left for Sprig’s family at www.sharpfuneral.com.
Born on October 19, 1931 at Carroll, Iowa, Vernice “Sprig” Sporrer was the son of Frank X. and Clara (Kemper) Sporrer. He attended Sacred Heart Grade School and graduated from Sacred Heart High School in Templeton. While in high school he helped his family with the farm operation. Vernice then served in the United States Army from 1953-1955 and upon his honorable discharge returned to the Templeton area and assumed the family farm operation. In January of 1957 he married Alma Tunning. That same year Alma passed away along with their infant daughter Geralyn. On May 16, 1959, Vernice married Evelyn Tunning, to this union were four children. The couple made their home on the family farm where Sprig was a grain and livestock farmer. In 1994 they moved into Templeton but Sprig still made daily visits to the farm and never lost his passion for agriculture. He enjoyed attending cattle sales, playing cards, basketball, and loved conversation; whether with family or his many friends. Sprig was a former member of St. Joseph’s Catholic Church in Dedham and currently a member of Sacred Heart Catholic Church in Templeton. Throughout the years he was active in both parishes on numerous church boards. Sprig was also a member of the Dedham American Legion and the Manning V.F.W.
Survivors include his wife Evelyn of Templeton; one daughter: Jeanne Danner and husband Bob of Dedham; two sons: Gary Sporrer and wife Becky of Templeton and Dave Sporrer and fiancé Karen Meihost of Templeton; 2 grandsons: Cory and Carter Danner; 2 step-grandchildrn, Cara Wiederin and Kyle Stevens; 2 step-great-grandchildren: Danielle and Harley Wiederin; one sister: Dorothy (Louis) Schon of Glidden; his in-laws: Millie Sporrer of Manning, Lorena Grossman of Carroll, Leonard (Verna) Tunning of Dedham, Clarence (Linda) Tunning of Carroll, Bob (Mary Louise) Tunning of Burnsville, MN, and Lois (George) Van Cleave of Guthrie Center; as well as many nieces, nephews, and other extended relatives.
Vernice was preceded in death by his parents; first wife Alma in 1957 and infant daughter, Geralyn; his son Steve Sporrer in 1978; his sister, Inez (Bud) Ohlinger; and his brother, Lawrence Sporrer.
