Helen met Earl "Whitey" Sprague in Lincoln, Nebraska, where he was stationed while serving in the Army Air Force. They were married on October 27, 1945, by the Rev. Hillicken at the Plymouth Congregational Church in Watervliet, while on leave. They moved to Michigan in 1948, and resided in Watervliet for 36 years before moving to San Benito in 1988 during the winter and Manning, Iowa, during the summer.

Helen was a long standing member of the Plymouth Congregational Church and Eastern Star. Throughout the years she enjoyed cooking, traveling, gardening, singing, playing golf, and teaching Sunday School. While in San Benito, she participated in the Mixed Choir and the HOST program, tutoring children. She was truly a mother to all children.

Helen is survived by her loving husband; her six children and their spouses: Richard and Marilyn of Edmond, Oklahoma; Deborah and Walter Kipp of Galesburg, Michigan; Katherine of San Benito; Jeffery and Valerie of Winston-Salem, North Carolina; John and Gay of Watervliet; and Robert of Dallas; her mother, Mary Shane of Manning; her two sisters: Louise Fonua of Renton, Washington; and Lorraine Kruse of Manning; nine grandchildren, and four great-grandchildren.

Cremation has taken place. A memorial service will be held at 11 a.m. Friday, August 28 at North Shore Memory Garden, Hagar Shores, with the Rev. Donald Campbell officiating. Memorials may be given to Plymouth Congregational Church in Watervliet. The American Cancer Society, or Sandi Jo Funk Hospice, PO Drawer 2588, Harlingen, Texas.
The Herald-Palladium Saint Joseph, Michigan August 26, 1998