Clara Sprunk

A Funeral Mass for Clara Seiler Sprunk, 89, of Fargo, formerly of Dickinson, will be 10:00 a. m. , Saturday, May 3, 2014 at St. Patrick’s Catholic Church, Dickinson with Father Marvin Klemmer and Father Todd Kreitinger con-celebrating. Inurnment will follow in the Dickinson Mausoleum. Visitation for Clara will be from 1:00 p. m. to 6:00 p. m. , Friday, May 2, 2014 at Stevenson Funeral Home. Clara passed away, Friday, March 28, 2014 at Touchmark in Fargo, ND. Clara Seiler Sprunk was born August 14, 1924, the third oftwelvechildren born to Henry and Katherine (Heidecker) Seiler. She was raised on afamily farm nearLefor, ND and was educated at St. Elizabeth’s in Lefor. Upon hermother’s (and infant brother’s) death in 1938from childbirth complications, Clara, the eldest daughter at age 14, with the help ofher 13 year-old sister Betty and loving aunts living nearby, took responsibility of maintaining the household duties and rearing her younger siblings;a young family, kindly described in a relative’s genealogy journal as "exuberant". As a young woman Clara left the farm towork brieflyin Denver and Washington DC. Clara returned to Dickinson, ND at her father’s request. She worked for Dr. Pavelbeforefurthering her education in Minot to becomea registered laboratory technician. Clara worked in Dickinson for the Rogers and Gumper Clinic, which became the Great Plains Clinic, for the rest of her working career (30+ years) until her retirement in 1985. Her father Henry died suddenly of a heart attack in 1963, after which Clara lived for over 20 years with her sister andbrother-in-law, Joanne and Ray Gregory, and their five children: Kathy (Arne) Graff, Arnie (Jane) Gregory, Becky (Barry) Mosbrucker, Carolyn (Steve) Irsfeld, and Mike Gregory. Clara was a second mother to them and was beloved not only by them but their spouses and children as well. Clara met Arthur Sprunk of Mount Dora, FL (originally of Detroit, MI) while visiting her good friend, Agnes Kolling, at her winter home. Clara and Artmarried on May 30, 1985 and resided in Mount Dora until they eventually moved toHillsborough, CA to live with Art’s daughter, Sue. Clara and Art had many wonderful years together filled with travel, golf, cards, and dancing. Art was Clara’s joy andshe missed him dearly after hisdeath in October 2004. Claraand Sue had a loving friendship and Clara continued to livewith herfollowing Art’s death until moving toTouchmark in Fargo, ND in 2011 to benearKathy and Arne Graff and theGregory family. Clara is survived by and will be missed in a very special way by the Gregory children and their families; Art’s daughter, Susan Sprunk;brother and sister-in-law,Johnand Olivia Seiler, Loveland, OH; brother-in-law, Wally Smith, Conneaut, IL;and many additional nieces andnephews. Clara was preceded in death by her parents Henry and Katherine; husband, Arthur; and siblings (spouses): Joseph (Agnes, Jean), Bill (Ann),Betty Smith, Martha, Henry, Vernon, Vi (John Krance), Joanne (Raymond Gregory), Catherine, and infant Peter. In lieu of flowers, the family suggests memorials to Touchmark of Fargo or Red River Valley Hospice.


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Burial Date: May 3, 2014
Funeral Home Dickinson, ND

Funeral Mass: Saturday: St. Patrick’s Catholic Church, Dickinson, ND