Service Details
Family and friends are invited to meet in the Draeger-Langendorf Funeral Home and Crematory on Saturday, NOVEMBER 23rd, for a visitation from 11:00 am until 12:00 pm.
A service remembering and celebrating Midge’s life will follow at 12:00 pm.
Memorial Suggestions
In honor of Midge’s love for her flower gardens, floral arrangements would be appropriate and appreciated.
Order Flowers from Family Selected Florists
Miller's Flowers
RACINE – Muriel (Midge) A. Sparks, age 80, died on Sunday, November 10, 2024, at Ridgewood Care Center. She was born on February 21, 1944, in Platteville, WI. She said she knew in kindergarten that she would become a teacher. She confessed she did not know she would talk too much.
She graduated from UW-Platteville and later earned her Master’s in Education + 24 credits. She was driven to learn and share, beginning her teaching career in Fresno, CA, in 1966 and Pacifica, CA, in 1967. Upon returning to Wisconsin, she taught in Potosi, WI, in 1969. She became a mother in 1970 and 1971, welcoming Susan and Sean into the world. She continued teaching part-time for 8 years at Gateway Technical College. When her good friend Patti Hammes took maternity leave in 1979, Midge began teaching English in room 228 at Washington Park High School in Racine, WI. Here, she stayed for the next 22 years until her retirement, developing dear friends, young and old.
She loved dancing, family, and traveling; many spring breaks spent with the Park High School family, camping in Florida and long 20+ hour drives of family time! She enjoyed writing notes of encouragement to family and friends, always wanting to help others. Her hobbies included walking, enjoying her dogs Tommy, Trinity and Teddy, and nature. She loved gardening, weeding, planting bulbs, coneflowers, and Black-eyed Susans. To quote one of her literary favorites, Ralph Waldo Emerson, “the earth laughs in flowers.”
Survivors include her children, Susan Kennedy (Richard Torine) of Racine, and their son Benjamin, who is currently serving in the USN in Japan. Sean (Zobia) Kennedy of Anchorage, AK, and their children Rodney and Rana Muriel.
Her sister Nancy Killeen of Middleton; her children KimberlyAnne (Henry) Meller and their children Maxwell Meller and (Patricia Tran), Cole (Stephanie) Meller; and Kari (Robert) Sides and their children Sam (Venicia) Sides and Jack (Hannah) Sides.
Her brothers John Cole of Cross Plains, WI, his daughters Sharon Miller and Terri Cole Ruff, and Paul (Marie) Cole of Jacksonville, OR, and their children Maretta Stiles and Minda Stiles.
Sister-in-law Nancy Cole of Waukesha; her children Douglas Cole and Christopher Cole.
She was preceded in death by her parents, Walter J. Cole and Muriel Leitzke, and brothers, Thomas Cole and Robert Cole.
Family and friends are invited to meet in the Draeger-Langendorf Funeral Home and Crematory on Saturday, NOVEMBER 23rd, for a visitation from 11:00 am until 12:00 pm. A service remembering and celebrating Midge’s life will follow at 12:00 pm. In honor of Midge’s love for her flower gardens, floral arrangements would be appropriate and appreciated.
A special thank you to Midge’s caregivers at Ridgewood Care Center, her roommate Willie Vaughn, and Allay Hospice for their loving care and support.
“Hope is the thing with feathers
That perches in the soul
And sings the tune without the words
And never stops at all.”
― Emily Dickinson
Gracie Witherspoon says
💐My deepest condolences go out to the family of Midge (Kennedy as I knew her) Sparks. I pray that God be with you in your time of Sorrow🕊
James says
RIP
Mrs Sparks
May your soul
Forever eternal..
Sylvia Sanchez says
My sincere condolences. I worked with Midge at Park High. She was such a caring person. I’m so lucky to have had her as a friend.
Cheryl Kothe says
Sending my deepest sympathy to the entire family. Midge was such a joy to work with while I was at Park.
Larry Gregg says
To Midge, a wonderful, dedicated teacher and friend to all.
Ann Kirkwood and Family says
Heartfelt condolences and prayers to Midge’s. family and friends 🙏🏾I am at a loss for words 🙏🏾God has pulled another beautiful flower from his garden 🙏🏾I am so grateful to have known Midge , her children ☀️and her husband🙏🏾
Joe Kiemen says
Midge was a wonderful teacher at Park High School. She greeted everyone with a smile. I was honored to be a colleague.
Jen Nutt-Gutierrez says
So many memories of Midge and the Kennedy household. My deepest condolences to you!
Colleen Jones says
She was a great teacher. I forgot she was your mom Sue. My deepest sympathy.
Anonymous says
Deapest sympathy to the family. Midge was a friend and a colleague at Park. Always pleasant. She will be missed.
Barb Meteyard
Carol Cole says
Susan and Sean and Midge’s entire family. My deepest condolences. I remember many wonderful moments with Midge. She was warm, kind and loving. Loved her zany sense of humor. I was happy to have been her sister-in-law.
Love to you all.
Aunt Carol