Thelma Sprenger

Thelma Jean (Koch) Sprenger passed from this world on Monday, April 30 at the age of 75, after a month-long battle with illness.

She was born May 23, 1936, the youngest of 10 children, to Johann and Susannah (Jukert) Koch. She was born and raised in Ritzville, where she graduated in 1954.

In June 1954, she married Charles McCormick and had two children from this union, David and Darlene. After living in Germany for military service, they returned to Ritzville and together they worked hard to create a successful business of the Standard Oil/Chevron service station. She also worked at the Ritzville State Bank.

In 1973, she married Ernest Sprenger and expanded her family with step-children Ann, Mark, Scott and Cindy. As well as serving as a minister’s wife, she worked at Kadlec Insurance, then back to the banking business at Lincoln Mutual/Washington Mutual Bank.

She was proud of her German heritage and enjoyed tracing her family’s genealogy. She was president of the area chapter of American Historical Society of Germans from Russia (AHSGR), as well as the Kolb Village Coordinator for the society. Being of German heritage, she had a stubborn streak that served her well. She was determined, spirited, perhaps outspoken and had a wonderful sense of humor. She is dearly loved by her family as the strong matriarch of, not only her children and grandchildren, but numerous nieces, nephews, cousins and friends.

She cared deeply for Ritzville and served on the city council, community boards and was current president of the H.E. Gritman Senior Center. She was always involved in her church serving in various ways. She was a member of the Zion Philadelphia Church. Though she was always busy giving to others she was a voracious reader, always enjoying and sharing books with her family and friends. She enjoyed traveling, crocheting, trying new recipes, oil painting and quilting. Her quilting hobby may be representative of her life – taking the individual pieces that came along and combining them to created beauty. She was a wonderful example of love, acceptance, the value of family and the value of each person. Her presence is missed, but her influence and love live on in so many ways. The family takes comfort knowing that she is in the arms of the Lord and her family in Heaven.

She was preceded in death by her parents; siblings, Rudy, Berthold, Lawrence, Reuben, Sarah Charvat and Olga Maley (and several beloved pets).

She is survived by her devoted husband, Ernie; son, David (Michelle) McCormick; daughter, Darlene (Gary) Hoefel; step-children, Ann Larson, Mark (Lynette) Sprenger, Scott (Janet) Sprenger and Cindy (Gene) Smith; grandchildren, Katie (McCormick) Burke, Andrea (Hoefel) Smith, Brenda (Hoefel) Garberg, Brock Larson, Joshua Sprenger, Aimee (Sprenger) Heider, Jacob Ritenour, Sarah Smith; step-granddaughters, Jennie and Jessie Jones and Brittanie and Samantha Asmussen; and four great grandchildren.

She is also survived by a brother, Walter Koch; sisters, Dolli Vanderford and Geraldine Hagadon; and lifelong friend, Shirley Markum.

Memorial services were held at Zion Philadelphia UCC in Ritzville on Saturday, May 5. Private inurnment was at Ritzville Memorial Cemetery.

The family suggests memorial contributions be made to Adams County Pet Rescue, in Ritzville or the H.E. Gritman Senior Center, in Ritzville. Condolences may be left at http://www.danekasfuneralhome.org.