Obituary of Mabel Mae Spranger

Mabel Mae Spranger, age 97, of Wisconsin Rapids, formerly of Vesper, passed away Thursday, November 10, 2016 at The Waterford in Wisconsin Rapids. A Mass of Christian Burial will be held at 10:30 A.M. on Tuesday, November 15 at St. James Catholic Church in Vesper. Rev. Robert Nelson will officiate. Burial will be at St. James Parish Cemetery. Friends may call at Herman-Taylor Funeral Home in Wisconsin Rapids on Monday, November 14 from 5:00-7:00 P.M. and at the church from 9:30 A.M. until the time of service on Tuesday at the church. Mabel was born April 8, 1919 in Wonewoc, Juneau County, Wisconsin to James “Earl” and Ellen (Nyeggen) Tracy. She attended kindergarten at Hillsboro Grade School and then moved with her family to Rudolph in 1924. Mabel attended school in Rudolph and graduated from Rudolph High School in 1937. Later in 1937, Mabel moved to the Chicago area to work for a short time before returning to take care of her siblings after her mother’s death in 1938. Mabel married Harvey A. Spranger on July 11, 1939 at St. Philip’s Catholic Church in Rudolph. He died January 24, 1994. While raising her family, Mabel entered the work force and was employed at the Vesper Grade School, local cranberry marshes, Montgomery Wards, Central State Telephone Co., Furniture Barn and as a school bus driver. Mabel was also active in the political field serving on the Wood County Aging Advisory, Commission of Aging, Northern Area Agency on Aging, Wisconsin Coalition of Aging, State of Wisconsin Aging Advisory Council and was appointed to the newly formed Wisconsin Coalition of Aging Intergenerational Committee in 1999. Mabel was also active in the United Way, American Cancer Society, fund drives, Wood County Nutrition Council, and Catholic Daughters of America. Mabel is survived by two daughters: Betty (Robert) Weidner of Sweet Home, Oregon and Bonita (John) Benschoter of St. Cloud, Minnesota; three sons: Thomas (Cindy) Spranger of Plover and Anthony (Kathy) Spranger and Michael (Dawn) Spranger, both of Wisconsin Rapids; 18 grandchildren; 43 great-grandchildren; 13 great-great-grandchildren; son-in-law, Jim Vruwink of Sherry; and several nieces and nephews. She was preceded in death by her parents; husband, Harvey; daughter, Donna Vruwink; granddaughter, Robin Weidner; grandson, Ronald Vruwink; sister, Fern Jepson; and brothers: Martin, Herbert, Robert and James Tracy. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be designated to St. James Catholic Church or the Family Center Inc. of Wisconsin Rapids. Mabel’s family would like to express their great appreciation to Waterford at Wisconsin Rapids and Aspirus Comfort Care and Hospice for the care given to her in her final days.