With sadness in our hearts the family would like to share with you that Lenora Spranger, 98, passed away on June 17th, 2017 peacefully with family at her side. Lenora was a loving wife, mother, grandma and great grandma who will be dearly missed.
She was born April 3, 1919 in Wittenberg, WI, daughter of John Jand Orsolla Casetta. She attended Green Bay beauty school as a young lady and took her first job as a beautician in Wausau, WI. She would visit her parents on weekends and attend Sunday mass with them at the Catholic Church in Wittenberg, WI. This is where she first met the love of her life, John Spranger Sr. They courted for 1 ½ years and married on June 5, 1943. Two pregnancies blessed them with four children. They settled into farming for 27 years selling the farm in 1973 when they moved into their home in the village of Wittenberg.
Lenora’s beloved husband of 47 years passed away suddenly in November 1990 while they were still in their prime traveling and enjoying their golden years. Her strong, determined Italian spirit and Catholic faith helped her push through this tremendous loss and continue to find joy in her life by spending time with her family and friends. A day did not go by in her 27 years without John where she did not miss him or shed a tear when speaking of him.
Lenora was very dedicated to our Lord with her Catholic faith, serving as a Christian mother for many years. She belonged to the Never Idol Homemakers club and was very crafty in her day, crocheting afghans for everyone. She will be remembered as a “social butterfly” and for her love of “peets-tsah”. She enjoyed playing Old Maid and Go Fish with the great grandkids, Farkle with the adults and Solitaire when she was by herself. Lenora loved to explore the world first hand, willing to jump in a car, a motorhome, on a train or plane to do so. Even if it was a short day trip to visit her grandkids or great grandkids, or a weekend away at the Spranger Hideaway cottage, she was ready to go! She had the opportunity to travel to Calvene, Italy at the age of 75 to visit the homeland of her parents.
The family would like to take this opportunity to thank Homme Home staff for all of their loving care for Lenora over the past five years. The family would also like to thank Aspirus Langlade Hospice & Palliative staff for their support and care given to Lenora and family during this difficult time and the prayers and encouragement by the pastoral staff.
Lenora is survived by fraternal twins Dennis (Barb) and Judy (Doug) Pliskie, and identical twins, John (Sandy) Jr., and James (Susann); 12 grandchildren, Michelle (James) Ward, Denise (Kevin) Hart, Jeremy (Carolyn) Spranger, Pam (Mike) Ronca, Paula Wydeven, Chad (Mona) Pliskie, Curt (Jennifer) Pliskie, John (Erin) Spranger III, Brian (Thea) Spranger, Angela Spranger, Theresa Spranger and Robert (Hannah Weaver) Spranger; 24 great-grandchildren; and her sister, Mary Londo. Lenora was preceded in death by her loving husband, John Sr.; her parents; her brother, Johnny; and sisters, Loretta and June.
Visitation is Saturday, June 24th, 2017 at the Holy Family-St William Catholic Church from 10:00am-11:00am. Lenora’s Mass of Christian Burial celebrating her beautiful life will follow immediately after at 11AM. Father Jose Castenada will officiate. Interment will be at the Holy Family Catholic Cemetery, Wittenberg.