Rita Sporrer, 88 of Manning, entered into eternal rest with the Lord, October 7, 2023, surrounded by family at St. Anthony Nursing Home in Carroll.

The daughter of Bernard and Margaret (Steffes) Halbur, Rita was born February 13, 1935, in Halbur, Iowa, and attended St. Augustine School. On August 30, 1955, Rita married Harold Sporrer at St. Augustine Catholic Church in Halbur.

Rita and Harold spent their entire 68 years of married life side by side supporting each other farming, painting, selling produce, doing field work and most recently cleaning up land to convert it to farm ground. Rita enjoyed bowling, fishing and traveling with her husband. She also enjoyed playing cards with family, friends and neighbors.

Rita was a gifted seamstress, creating (and repairing) beautiful clothes for her children and grandchildren. She was an excellent cook and baker, often filling the freezer with cookies, bars and other goodies. She was a loving wife and mother. Her quick wit, sense of humor, welcoming smile and laughter were appreciated by all. Perhaps the most important and lasting impact she had on the world was her generosity of time, treasure and talent, while spreading the Good News of the Lord.

Rita is survived by her husband Harold Sporrer of Manning; eight children: Karen (Mike) Blum of Halbur; Ron (Kay) Sporrer of Clemson, South Carolina; Leon (Linda) Sporrer of Des Moines; Lyle (Carolyn) Sporrer of Manning; Kevin (Lois) Sporrer of Roselle; Renee Fraser of Norwalk; Jeff (Stacey) Sporrer of Ankeny; and Joel Sporrer of Manning; 17 grandchildren and 7 great-grandchildren.

The family wants to express special gratitude to the nurses and staff of the St. Anthony Nursing Home in Carroll for the excellent care they provided to Rita.
Funeral Service on Friday, October 13, 2023 at 10:30 a.m. at Ohde Funeral Home, Manning, Iowa with Cathy Stander, Officiating.
Music "Be Not Afraid," "How Great Thou Art," "Amazing Grace” and "On Eagle's Wings."
Casket Bearers are Rita’s Grandchildren.
Interment at Sacred Heart Cemetery, Manning, Iowa.

Karen Sporrer MHS 1975

Ronald Sporrer MHS 1976

Leon Sporrer MHS 1978

Lyle Sporrer MHS 1979

Kevin Sporrer MHS 1982

Renee Sporrer MHS 1983

Jeff Sporrer MHS 1987

Joel Sporrer MHS 1991

1991 Prom - Back: Kenny Venteicher, David Morris, Dale Gruhn, Joel Sporrer, Mike Halbur, Bret Halbur, Larry Eischeid, Gary Ferneding
Front: Cole Laver, Zach Diersen, Brent Moore, Terri Dammann

Renee Sporrer

Kevin Sporrer 1971

Ron Sporrer & Gary Drees

Ron Sporrer - 1981 Centennial celebration at Trinity Lutheran Church - at that time still in Lincoln Township.

Eileen Sporrer (Ron's 1st wife who died from cancer), Larry Miller, Mary Asmus - 1981 Trinity celebration

Ron, Karen, Leon, Lyle
Christmas greetings to the Gerhardt & Billie Voge family

From the 2006 Manning Quasquicentennial history book

Back: Gregory, Krista, Rebecca
Front: Alexander, Carolyn, Lyle

Carolyn is the daughter of Lawrence and Cecelia (Gallagher) from Vail, Iowa. Carolyn was raised on a farm between Vail and Westside her siblings include John, Sharon, Karen (Vollstedt), Nancy (Padget), Philip (deceased), Janelle (Houston), Mary Ann (Waterbury), Sheila (Kanne), and Paul. The Sporrer's are blessed with four children: Krista, Gregory, Rebecca, and Alexander.

Krista Bernadette has enjoyed many activities as a Manning graduate of 2004. She participated in cross-country and basketball. She is a member of the Manning FFA. Krista has completed all thirteen Ag classes offered in Manning and has a passion for showing and raising sheep. She currently attends Northwest Missouri State University in Maryville, Missouri. Gregory Philip enjoys sports and among his favorites are football, basketball and track. He is a member of the Manning Cadets 4-H Club where he enjoys showing sheep. He is also a lover of horses. Rebecca Ann has tried several activities including dance and gymnastics. She is currently taking piano lessons from Mrs. Susan Lamb and enjoys spending time with her friends. She is also a member of the Manning Cadets 4-H Club. Alexander Joseph loves to play basketball and has a great love for animals, especially cats. He wants to be a farmer, a trucker and a FORD salesman when he grows up. Greg, Rebecca and Alex are all students of the Manning Community School.

Lyle worked with his dad while growing up selling Conklin products and Acco Feeds. They started a Fruit business in 1990 selling watermelon, muskmelon and peaches to local stores. Lyle and Carolyn currently own the business. Carolyn worked for Juergens Produce and Feed Co. in Carroll from 1982 to 1992. They have raised hogs, cattle and sheep over the years.

The Sporrer's are members of the Sacred Heart Catholic Church in Manning. Carolyn has been a CCD teacher for nine years, has done children's Liturgy for five years, helped with Bible school and currently Cantors. Krista was a member of the youth choir and Shout. Krista, Greg, and Rebecca have all been mass servers and Alex hopes to follow in their footsteps. The Sporrer's are very active with their children in the community. They both help with the local Boy Scouts and Cub Scouts. Carolyn has also been a 4-H Leader for the Manning Cadets for three years. The family enjoys showing livestock, walking, riding bikes, and spending time with family and friends.

2003 Old Iron Tractor drive

Harold Sporrer's IH - 2003 Old Iron Tractor drive

2013 Adopt a Family fund raiser - Harold Sporrer made this barn

Jeff & Jacob Sporrer
Children's Day 2003 look-a-like contest

2013 Boy Scout flag project -

Nathan Sporrer son of Kevin
Kevin is the son of Harold & Rita Sporrer - their route had 62 flags

Totals for the Boy Scouts: 505 flags for the Manning, Manilla, Aspinwall, Irwin routes - 330 for Manning

Kevin assisting his son...

Rita & Harold Sporrer with their son's First Communion