Obituary of Thelma Sprenger

Thelma Jean Koch Sprenger was born May 23, 1936, the youngest of 10 children, to Johann and Susannah (Jukert) Koch. She passed from this world April 30, 2012 after a month long battle with illness. Thelma was born and raised in Ritzville, WA, where she graduated in 1954. In June 1954 she married Charles McCormick and had 2 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, Thelma worked at Kadlec Ins, then back to the banking business at Lincoln Mutual/Washington Mutual Bank. Thelma was proud of her German heritage and enjoyed tracing her family's geneology. She was president of the area chapter of AHSGR (American Historical Society of Germans from Russia), as well as the Kolb Village Coordinator for the society. Being of German heritage, Thelma 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 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 travelling, 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. Thelma 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, 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, as well as 4 great grandchildren. She is also survived by brother Walter Koch and sisters Dolli Vanderford and Geraldine Hagadon and lifelong friend Shirley Markum. She was preceded in death by her parents, siblings Rudy, Berthold, Lawrence, Reuben, Sarah Charvat and Olga Maley (and several beloved pets). Thelma was a wonderful example of love, acceptance, the value of family and the value of each person. Her presence is missed more than words can say but her influence and love live on in so many ways. We take comfort knowing that she is in the arms of our Lord and her family in Heaven. Memorial Services were held at Zion Philadelphia UCC in Ritzville on Saturday May 5, 2012 at 2:00 PM. Private Inurnment was at Ritzville Memorial Cemetery. Memorial contributions are suggested to: Pet Rescue in Ritzville or the Gritman Senior Center in Ritzville. Condolences may be left at www.danekasfuneralhome.org