Sparrowgrove, Marcia Lee

Marcia Lee Sparrowgrove, 77, of Marengo, died Monday, June 18, 2012, at the Marengo Memorial Hospital. Private Family Graveside Services will be held at the Marengo Cemetery.

A memorial fund has been established at the Farmers Trust and Savings Bank in Williamsburg.

Kloster Funeral Home, Marengo is in charge of arrangements.

Marcia is survived by her husband, Harold “Sparky” Sparrowgrove; three daughters, Cheryl Worcel (Allen), Michele Sparrowgrove and Sandra Koenig (Lorne), all of Marengo; 11 grandchildren, 15 great-grandchildren; a sister, Carolyn Schilling (Ed) of Syracuse, N.Y.; and a brother, David Swain of Malibu, Calif.

She was preceded in death by her parents; an aunt and uncle who raised her, Marjorie and Clifford Swain; a brother, Spencer Beardsley in childhood; and a brother, Russell Swain.

Marcia Lee Beardsley was born Feb. 25, 1935, in Buffalo, N.Y., the daughter of Leland Orcutt and Louise C. Kirchin Beardsley. Her parents died in 1936 and 1937 and Marcia was raised by her aunt and uncle. She graduated in 1953, and married Harold Eugene Sparrowgrove on May 30, 1956, in Salome, Ariz.

Marcia was a wife and mother, remaining in the home to raise her three daughters. When they were older she returned to school, taking classes to become a nurse. She worked at the Marengo Memorial Hospital as a medical assistant and an LPN, and also worked at the University of Iowa Hospital. She then was employed at Rose Haven Nursing Home for 15 years, retiring at the age of 65.

Marcia was compassionate and loving to all. She enjoyed fishing, the outdoors and working with animals on the farm. She was a talented artist, who loved to paint and draw. She was an avid reader and writer.

Online condolences may be extended to the family at .

Published in The Gazette June 20, 2012.