Cleo Theresa Sparling, 88, of Redfield, SD died Monday, August 29, 2011 at Community Memorial Hospital in Redfield. Mass of Christian Burial will be Thursday, September 1, 2011 at 10:30 a.m. at St. Bernard's Catholic Church in Redfield. Father Christopher Hughes will officiate. Burial will be in the Athol Cemetery near Athol. Visitation will be Wednesday, August 31, 2011 from 1-8:00 p.m. with a scriptural wake service at 7:00 p.m. at Thelen Funeral Home in Redfield. www.thelenfuneralhome.com

Cleo was born October 29, 1922 in Pierz, MN to Michael and Mary (Keller) Schraut. She lived in Pierz until she graduated from high school. Cleo moved to Glendale, CA during World War II and worked in a bakery and a defense factory. She met Roland Sparling and stayed in California until Roland returned from the war. They were married June 19, 1947 in Pierz. They farmed in the Athol/Ashton area until retiring in 1977. Roland died in 1997 and Cleo moved into Redfield in 1999.

She enjoyed visiting with family and friends, watching her grandchildren's sporting events and watching the Minnesota Twins.

Cleo was a member of St. Bernard's Catholic Church, Ashton VFW Auxiliary and Gray Ladies.

Cleo is survived by her children Charles (Nadine) Sparling of Athol, SD and their children Kevin (Nicky) Sparling, Kami (Chad) Fischbach, Kara Sparling and Kris (Kayla) Sparling; Robert (Shari) Sparling of Athol, SD and their children: Jason (Alana) Sparling, Roberta (Shannon) Yeske, Rebecca (Jason) Stoltenburg, Renae (Jason) Melcher and Kennedi Sparling and Pam (James) Baer of Onaka, SD and their children Lori (Roger) Gutenkauf, Angela (Richard Seldal) Rausch, Mark Baer and Tim Baer and twenty-three great grandchildren.

She was preceded in death by her parents, her husband Roland, one brother and nine sisters.