Elfriede Sparks, age 84, passed away on Thursday September 2,2021 at Golden Valley Memorial Hospital in Clinton, Missouri. Funeral service will be held at 3:00 PM on Tuesday, September 7, 2021 at Vansant-Mills Chapel in Clinton. Visitation will be from 2:00-3:00 PM prior to the service. Burial to follow in Calhoun Cemetery in Calhoun, Missouri. The family suggests memorial contributions be made to the Clinton Animal Rescue Endeavor (C.A.R.E.) and can be left in care of the funeral home. Fond memories and condolences can be left online at www.vansant-millsfuneralhome.com .

Elfriede Sparks was born to Joesph & Katherine Dohmen in Cologne Germany in 1937.

Elfriede was one of the most caring, loving, hardworking people. She raised her family alone, working long hours, sometimes doubles as a CNA. She made sure that her 4 children had everything they needed at all times. Yes she sacrificed sometimes having to work not being there with her family but they knew it was all for them.

In 1983 Elfriede met the love of her life, Harold Sparks. She would eventually move with Michelle and Danny to Calhoun to live on the farm and enjoy farm life. Oh how she loved growing a garden with Harold and they would take care of the sheep. They would go to the catfish pond in the evening and feed the catfish together. In the evenings they enjoyed playing dominoes or cards with the family. Every weekend she would make sure that her family had homemade breakfasts. Harold worked as a roofer and was gone most of the time during the week, but on weekends she and Harold would sure make time to spend together with the family. It's very funny that my mama would go to town and get groceries and do what needed to be done. Some weekends Elfriede and Harold would go and visit friends.

Elfriede decided to go back to work after Harold passed in 1989. She would then start at Westwood Nursing Center in the dietary where she loved her job and the people. She would have 2 days off and the first day well it would go well that second day would roll around and boy was she chomping at the bit to get back to work hoping they would call her in so she didn't have to sit around. She had 2 yorkie pups, Rebel and Camo which everyday mom would get off work she would let her pups outside and then go in the house and take her 2 hour nap. She was the best mother and grandmother.

Elfriede sure loved her family. She would come to raise Colton & MacKenzie and made sure they were so loved and taken care of. When her grandson Cole was born she was so excited to have a great grandchild and her and Cole had a bond like no other. Eventually Colton would have a son Blake and she was thrilled to get to go to the hospital to see him. Mackenzie had a boy Kayden and gram sure enjoy him as well. Elfriede was the kindest lady she would do anything for anyone. She loved sitting outside watching people or watching the grandkids. She loved Coloring after she retired from Westwood. Elfriede wasn't someone who cared about material things, but when her son Mitch always made sure she had the best. She was so appreciative. She was one of a kind. She loved her TV, watching her shows. Let's make a deal, Dr. Phil, and so many more. She enjoyed sitting in her room starring out the window while she colored. And her boxer Sugar oh how she loved her.

My mama will surely be greatly missed by many especially her close family!

Elfriede is preceded in death by her husband Harold Sparks, Daughter Patricia Poling, Grandson Dakota Poling, one brother and her parents.

Survivors include her children: Michelle (Mitch) Duke of the home, Eddie (Sherry) Poling of Clinton, Danny (Lisa) Poling of Shawnee Mound, Elizabeth (Reese) Gregory of Urich, Mo. 6 Grandchildren Colton (Talissa) Dick….MacKenzie Stout..Amanda Poling and Nathan Poling, Robert Hunt, Joe Poling…3 great grandchildren….Cole Wayne Stout, Blake Micheal Ryan Dick and Kayden Talbott….

Arrangements have been entrusted to Vansant-Mills Funeral Home in Clinton, Missouri.