Adeline (Larson) Sparling, 89

Adeline (Larson) Sparling, 89, passed away unexpectedly at her home on Sunday, Dec. 27, 2009, in Kalispell. She was born in Kalispell on July 29, 1920, to Hans and Alma Larson. Adeline lived her whole life in Kalispell except her pre-school years when her family lived near Nyack, where her father had a logging camp. She married her high school sweetheart, Warren Sparks Sparling, and they have a son, Bob. Adeline was employed as the office manager of the American Timber Co., which was a company begun by her father and it later became a family-owned business. She also worked as the secretary for Bethlehem Lutheran Church and had a wonderful love for serving the Lord in many ways at the church, being a Sunday school teacher and teaching the Bethel Bible Study for several years. She was an active member of the Lutheran Daughters of the Reformation, serving a term as president. She was involved with the Bible study circles, always eager to have the summer meeting at their Flathead Lake cabin and the Christmas gathering in her home. She loved her church family. Adeline was very involved with the Trinity Lutheran College (formerly Lutheran Bible Institute) while it was located in Seattle and Issaquah, Wash., serving on their board. She and Warren attended the summer conclaves for many years and were generous supporters of the college. Adeline s family was such an important part of her life. She loved caring for her grandchildren and great-grandchildren, especially at the Flathead Lake cabin, and making the days filled with fun and good food. She enjoyed playing bridge with her friends, and she and Warren had great times traveling and went on several cruises with friends from L.B.I. and their son, Bob, and his wife, Sharon. Adeline was preceded in death by her parents; her brothers, Lawrence and Tilman Larson; and her sister, Ruth Thomas. She is survived by her husband, Warren Sparling, of Kalispell; a son, Robert, and wife, Sharon Sparling, of Tacoma, Wash.; grandchildren, Kathy and husband, Terry, of Olalla, Wash., Jill and husband, Scott Scherrer, of Hayden, Idaho, and Bruce and wife, Cindy Sparling, of Tacoma; and great-grandchildren, Jennifer Lumsden, Thomas Lumsden, Stephanie Scherrer, Jack Sparling and Isabel Sparling. She is also survived by a brother, Hollister Larson, of Kalispell; and her sister-in-law, Ruth Darnell, of Gig Harbor, Wash; as well as several nieces, nephews and cousins. She will be greatly missed by family and friends. A celebration of Adeline s life will be held at 11 a.m. on Wednesday, Jan. 6, at Bethlehem Lutheran Church. Family and friends are invited to the visitation from 1 to 6 p.m. Tuesday, Jan. 5, at Johnson-Gloschat Funeral Home, and to the burial at 10 a.m. Wednesday morning at C.E. Conrad Memorial Cemetery. Memorial gifts may be given to the Bethlehem Lutheran Church. Johnson-Gloschat Funeral Home and Crematory is caring for Adeline s family. You are invited to go to www.jgfuneralhome.com to view Adeline s guest book, offer condolences and share memories.