Alma Ruth Spronk was born on January 28, 1925 to Dick and Anna (Pool) Tinklenberg on the family farm between Kenneth and Leota, Minnesota. She was raised on the farm and attended country school and Leota Christian School through the eighth grade. Following her education, she helped on the farm with picking corn by hand, milking cows and many of the other daily farming tasks. She also did housework for other area farm families. On March 3, 1944 Alma married Henry J. Spronk at the Edgerton Memorial Hall in Edgerton, Minnesota, with Rev. J.C. Ehlers officiating. The couple began their married life on a farm north of Edgerton. In March of 1945 they moved to a farm south of Edgerton and then to the De Vries Farm on the Valley Road west of Chandler, Minnesota. Here they raised their five children, sheep, cows, chickens, hogs, corn, oats, cockleburs, and thistles. In 1963 Alma and Hank moved and purchased the farm west of Edgerton. Along with raising their children and housework, Alma also was employed at the Edgebrook Care Center, where she worked two years in the housekeeping department and thirteen years as a nurse’s aide. In 1986, Alma and Hank moved to the house in Edgerton that Hank’s parents had built and lived in. On November 2, 1993 Hank went to be with the Lord. Alma continued to reside at their home until September 20, 2005, when she became a resident at the Edgebrook Campus. On Monday, May 25, 2015 Alma went to be with the Lord at the age of 90 years, three months and 27 days.

Alma was a member of the First Christian Reformed Church in Edgerton where she participated in Bible studies and work groups. Education was a very important part of Alma’s life and she worked hard to be able to pass this along to her children. She was a “Martha” in the sense that she always made sure everyone was well fed. She loved trying new recipes and often had cake and other baked goods in her kitchen ready to be eaten. Alma was also blessed with a kind heart and made the effort to make visitors feel welcomed and give them a place to stay. She enjoyed her family and loved the time she could spend with her grandchildren and great-grandchildren.

Alma is lovingly remembered by her five children, Fern (Carl) Wiersum of Jenison, Michigan; Dr. Delmar (Jolene) Spronk of Sheldon, Iowa; Leon (Cynthia) Spronk of Edgerton; Dr. Gordon (Deb) Spronk of Pipestone, Minnesota; and Randy (Beth) Spronk of Pipestone; 15 grandchildren; 33 great-grandchildren; and in-laws Gert Krosschell, Maggie Spronk, Art and Mayme Spronk and Jeanette Christoffels; and other relatives and friends. She was preceded in death by her husband; grandson, Clinton Spronk; parents; and three sisters, Helena (Nelvin) De Kam, Martena (Tim) Baker, Esther (Es) Spronk; in-laws Pete Krosschell, Bernard Spronk, Gerrit and Caroline Spronk, and Jerry Christoffels.

Memorials may be directed to Edgerton Christian Grade School or Southwest Christian High School.