Ione Sparby, 75, of Thief River Falls, MN, died on Sunday, October 2, 2011, surrounded by her loving family after a courageous five-year battle with cancer.

Funeral services will be held at 10:30 a.m., Saturday, October 8, 2011, at Zion Lutheran Church in Thief River Falls with Rev. Ale Tulu and Rev. John Golv co-officiating.  Burial will follow at Greenwood Cemetery in Thief River Falls.  Visitation will be held from 5 to 8 p.m. with a 7 p.m. prayer service on Friday, October 7, 2011, at Zion Lutheran Church in Thief River Falls.  Visitation will also be held from 9:30 to 10:30 a.m. on Saturday at the church.

Ione Marlene Byklum was born on April 26, 1936, in Grygla, MN, the daughter of Gullick and Evelyn (Newhouse) Byklum.  She was baptized and confirmed at Our Saviors Lutheran Church east of Grygla.  Ione attended the Lee Township School near Grygla and graduated from Goodridge High School in the class of 1954.  On a school field trip to the Iron Mines at Hibbing, Ione met her future husband, Wallace Sparby.

Following graduation, Ione moved to Chillicothe, MO, and lived with her sister Irene while working as a secretary at an insurance agency.  On a return trip to Minnesota, she and Wallace were engaged.  The couple married on September 15, 1956, at Our Saviors Lutheran Church and to this union four children were born: Junelle, Russell, Delray and Michael.

While living in many locations throughout Minnesota and Wisconsin, she was employed as secretary  for the General of the Wisconsin National Guard, secretary of Grygla School, sales clerk at Sears Roebuck in Morris, sales representative for Home Interiors, sales clerk at JC Penney in Thief River Falls, bookkeeper at Sparby-Johnson Implement, real estate agent for Northland Realty and Century 21, in the home mortgage division at Rothschild, Metropolitan Federal and US Bank, in the accounting division at Arctic Cat, and in the motor vehicle license division for the State of Minnesota.

Ione was a member of Zion Lutheran Church and served as president of the Zion Lutheran Church Women; she was also a member of the Sons of Norway, Mrs. Jaycees, Zehlians, and the Northwest Medical Center Auxiliary.  Her many interests included gardening, dancing, fishing, golfing, knitting, crocheting, playing Bridge and Rook, and she was an excellent seamstress.  Wallace and Ione traveled extensively to many foreign countries and enjoyed vacationing in Florida and Arizona during the winter.  Ione was an inspiration to many with her positive attitude and outlook on life.  She was a very patient and unselfish person and treasured time with family and friends.

Survivors include her loving husband of 55 years, Wallace of Thief River Falls; children Junelle (Barry) Hoffer of Thief River Falls, Russell (fianc, Lisa Leiran) Sparby of Crookston, Delray (Tamara) Sparby of Thief River Falls, and Michael (Nancy) Sparby of Morris; grandchildren Janae Hoffer, Mandy (Adam) Gast, Kassi Sparby, Andrew, Aaron and Kendra Sparby, Gabriel and Sofia Sparby; sister Hazel Aune of Thief River Falls; brother Wallace (Karol) Byklum of Grygla; sister-in-law Bernice Byklum of Oak Creek, WI; and numerous relatives and friends.

Ione was preceded in death by her parents, sister Irene Huffman, brother Raymond Byklum, and daughter-in-law Karla Sparby.

Accompanist:  Phyllis Dalager
Special Piano Selection:  Gabriel Sparby (granddaughter) The Lords Prayer
Soloist:  Diane Johnson Precious Lord Take My Hand & You are Mine
Congregational Hymns:  Amazing Grace & What A Friend We Have In Jesus
Casketbearers:  Eldon Sparby, Jerry Sparby, Daryl Byklum, Dennis Huffman, Wayne Byklum, Darrin Byklum