Jacketta “Jackie” Louise (Jensen) Sparks, a member of the LDS church, was born on November 9, 1928, in Castle Dale, Utah. Jackie met her husband, Andrew Sparks in 1948 and they were united in marriage on January 30, 1950. In 1952, they moved to Iowa where they would live for 20 years. Jackie worked at Parker Games and later as a cook with her mother-in-law at Assumption Schools. In 1969, Jackie and Andy bought a semi-truck and they trucked until Andy’s death in 1990. In Jackie’s lifetime she was able to visit all 50 states. In 1972, Jackie and Andy moved back to Ferron, Utah where she lived until 2018. In Ferron, she worked at Millsite Golf Course for 27 years, retiring at the age of 87.
Jackie was an avid Brigham Young University fan and enjoyed following every sport. She enjoyed her time spent with her brother and his wife, JB and Pam and their family; her sister Mary’s family, Joe, Jenny, Tina, and Lisa; and her sister Lorraine and her family, Evon, Nancy, Jackie, and their families. In 2018, Jackie moved back to Iowa to live with her grandson, Brian and his wife, Julie. She adored the time she spent with her Utah family. This allowed her to enjoy and make memories with her family in Iowa even including her favorite canine friend, Doodles.
Jackie met her heavenly father on July 18, 2019, at the Taylor Hospice House in Des Moines. She was preceded in death by her parents; husband, Andrew Sparks; an infant son, John Sparks; and two sisters, Lorraine and Mary.
Jackie is survived by her son, Larry (Linda) Sparks of Sumner, Iowa; grandson, Brian (Julie) Sparks of Altoona, Iowa; granddaughters, Kirsten (Brad) Paulsrud of Hutchinson, Kansas and Caroline Sparks of Decorah, Iowa; great-grandchildren, Megan Meyer, Adam (Abby) Howie, Anika, Lila, and Andrew Paulsrud; and her great-great-grandchildren, Molly and Macy Meyeer and Avery, Reece, and Corbin Howie.
She is also survived by her brother, JB (Pam) Jensen of Salt Lake City, Utah; sister-in-law, Bonnie Herrold of Granger, Iowa; brother-in-law, Jose Morales of Texas; great-nieces, Evon (Richard) Pope Tina Morales, Lisa (Travis) George, Nancy Martinez, Jackie (Tabb) Wehling and their families; and great-nephew, Joe (Jenny) Morales and their family.