Jeannie Sparks, 54, of Stover, Missouri, passed away Thursday, September 14, 2023, at her daughter’s home in Oskaloosa.
Jeannie Marie Sparks, daughter of Marion “Buck” and Donna (Burkhart) Van Helten, was born March 12, 1969, in Oskaloosa, Iowa. Her mother later married Steve Bowen, and Jeannie also considered him her dad. She attended Oskaloosa Schools and was at Oskaloosa High School from 1984 to 1987. Jeannie worked various jobs throughout her life, including Certified Nursing Assistant, assembly at Vermeer Manufacturing, bartending, and assembling at Land’s End Clothing in Dodgeville, Wisconsin. Her favorite job was being a stay-at-home mom. When Jeannie became a Nana, she gave up working and babysat her grandchildren while their parents worked. Teaching her children how to swim was a priority for Jeannie; the family has many fond memories of afternoons spent tubing on the Des Moines River.
Jeannie married Bradley Eric Sparks on August 19, 2005, in Oskaloosa. They lived in numerous locations, and in March 2023, Brad’s job took them to Missouri. She enjoyed Diamond Art, Lifetime movies, and riding their Harley motorcycle with her husband, Brad. Jeannie also loved to travel and enjoyed seeing the sites in Iowa, Wisconsin, Missouri, Mississippi, Idaho, and Nevada. Spending time with her children and grandchildren was the highlight of her life. She was a lifetime member of the Eagles and the V.F.W.
Her family includes her husband, Brad of Stover, Missouri; her children, Stephanie (Brandon) Spoelstra, Bradley Jordan, and Kayla (Jake Evans) Jordan, all of Oskaloosa; seven grandchildren: Mia, Maxlynn, Maizlee, Addison, Benson, Zaylee and Joplin; and her sibling: Tony Almond of Oskaloosa, and Marlene Van Helten of Oskaloosa.
In addition to her parents, Jeannie was preceded in death by a brother, Wesley Van Helten, her aunt Katie, adopted uncle Danny Mitchell, and her mother-in-law, Judy Sparks.
As was her wish, Jeannie’s body has been cremated. A celebration of life service will be held later. Memorial contributions can be made to her husband, Bradley Sparks. Langkamp Funeral Chapel & Crematory has been entrusted with her arrangements.
