- Date Of Birth: June 4, 1923
- Date Of Death: December 23, 2017
- State: Iowa
Alice, the daughter of Harold and Charlotte (Groves) Ratcliff, was born June 4, 1923, in rural Mahaska County, Iowa. She graduated from Lynnville High School in 1941. She was united in marriage with Lloyd Sparks on December 9, 1941 in Lancaster, Missouri. Alice was a house wife and farm wife.
Alice is survived by her 6 children: Lloydeana (Jim) Stewart of Newton, Larry Sparks (Virginia Meredith) of Lynnville and Newton, Dennis Sparks of Newton, William “Bill” and Lyndia Sparks of Lynnville, Mary (Emmett) Kadwell of Shelbyville, Michigan, and Mildred (Rich) Henschel of Kellogg; her 14 grandchildren: Tony (Teri) Stewart of North Carolina, Tammy (Mark) Davis of Minnesota, Brenda (Mick) Denmark of Lynnville, Jason (Shawnee) Sparks of Newton, Troy Wearmouth of Missouri, Gabe Wearmouth of Newton, Kim (Rod) Sieck of Grinnell, Tim (Dee) Sparks of Lynnville, Darron (Beth) Kadwell of Michigan, Keith (Lisa) Kadwell of Michigan, Stephen (Kayla) Kadwell of Maryland, Emily (Nick) Enz of Maryland, Mike (Melissa) Henschel of DeWitt, and Sheri (Greg) Leavens of Colfax; 29 great-grandchildren: Rose Davis, Ethan Davis, Adam Thiessen, Nick Denmark, McKenzie Sparks, Tyler Sparks, Tayler Vander Putte, Katrina Sieck, Alex Sieck, Liz Sieck, Ashley (Scott) Lang, Stacey (Dakota) Nelson, Natalie Nickell (Chris Conn), Cole (Hannah) Nickell, Matt Sparks, Lindi Kadwell, Elli Kadwell, Luke Kadwell, Macie Kadwell, Zac Kadwell, Karlee Kadwell, Norah Enz, Margot Enz, Ilana Enz, Austin Henschel, Logan Henschel, Taryn Henschel, Jessica Leavens, and Jamie Leavens; 7 great-great-grandchildren: Jordyn, Sadie, Dayton, Ava, Saylor, Carmen, and Elliott, and one on the way; her brother, Melvin (Marcile) Ratcliff of Lynnville; brother-in-law, Clair (Karel) Fenner of Grinnell; cousins, Ike, Helen, and Bob; and many nieces and nephews.
She was preceded in death by her parents; her husband of 69 years, Lloyd; brother, Rayford (Elenora) Ratcliff; sisters: Neva (Earl) Klyn, Velma (Floyd) Sparks, Vera (Gerald) Beason, and Doris Fenner; and daughters-in-law: Judy Sparks, Carol Sparks, Bonnie Sparks, and Irene Janssen.
