Born: May 14, 1943 - Deceased: May 11, 2023
Surrounded by her loving family, Helene Sparger, age 79, died peacefully in her home in the early hours of May 11. Following a month of hospitalization for a lung infection, her final wish to return home was honored. And we are grateful to Hospice of Southern Illinois for their assistance.
Helene was born on May 14, 1943, in Salzgitter-Lebenstedt, Germany, the youngest of five children of Herman and Sofie Gottschling. In 1953 her family moved to America and settled in Harvey, Illinois, a suburb of Chicago, where she attended Lowell Grade School and Thornton Township High School. Following graduation, she attended Eastern Illinois University. In her junior year at Thornton Helene Gottschling met and began dating Dennis Sparger. Four years later they married.
After a year in Urbana, Dennis and Helene moved to Belleville, Illinois, in 1966, where they raised their family and continued to live. Once the children were older, she worked as the Ralph Lauren specialist in fine women’s clothing for Famous Barr and Macy’s at St. Clair Mall before retiring in 1999. She was a member of Sigma Sigma Sigma sorority at EIU, and a past president of CT chapter of P.E.O. With respect to the heritage of her own parents and family, she delayed becoming an American citizen until 2007.
Helene enjoyed dining out with friends, dinners with family, and especially intimate dinners with her husband. She loved concerts of classical music, reading, theatre, and travel. Trips to Niagara-on-the-Lake for the Shaw Festival was an annual event for over twenty years. She loved supporting all the activities of her children and grandchildren. Helene was known by all for her friendliness—she never passed up a chance to speak to a stranger—her beautiful smile, her elegance, her grace, her ability to light up a room. When attending a concert by the Masterworks Chorale or Bach Society she always made it a point to personally greet as many as possible, especially new attendees.
Helene was preceded in death by her:
- Parents, Herman and Sofie, nee Golawski, Gottschling
- Brothers:
- Friedrich
- Eugene
- Sister, Lydia
Surviving are her:
- Loving husband, Dr. A. Dennis Sparger of Belleville, IL
- Children:
- Cindy (Doug) Murdoch
- John (Nicole McCollough) Sparger
- Brian (Julie Arnold) Sparger
- Grandchildren:
- Mackenzie Becker
- Nicholas Sparger
- Hutton Murdoch
- Katie Murdoch
- Brother, Alexander (Waltraud) Gottschling
Helene was baptized in the Christian faith and remained a believer in Jesus Christ her entire life.
Memorials may be made to The Bach Society of Saint Louis, bachsociety.org/donate.
A Celebration of Helene’s Life will be held at 11:00 am, Saturday, May 27, 2023, at Ladue Chapel Presbyterian Church, 9450 Clayton Road, St. Louis, MO, with Rev. Doug King and Rev. Greg Smith officiating.
12 Comments
The dearest person one could hope to meet. The world around her: always warm and welcoming.
Dear Dennis and Family,
There are no words to express the sadness in our hearts. To know Helene was to love her. We cannot remember her without smiling. The joy she radiated was contagious. Our families have shared much over many years and our memories will sustain us until we meet again. Rusty and I will be in Michigan and will not be able to attend the Celebration of Life service. Please know you and yours will be in our hearts and prayers that day.
Love and prayers,
Rusty, Sandy and Family
From the always elegant and gracious “Wife of the Maestro” when I first met her as a young wife, to the always elegant and graceful beloved friend she became, Helene will always be in our hearts. I was honored and blessed to know and love — and be loved — by her. Dennis, we love you very much and you remain in our prayers.
We have lost a friend, a lover of life and a true lady!
Helene will always be remembered for her infectious personality. No one was a stranger in a room and she always made everyone feel welcome. I always admired the wonderful relationship between her and Dennis – true love. The world was a better place because of Helene and she will be missed.
Dennis:
Please know that you and your family are in our thoughts and prayers. We so remember the genuine friendliness of Helene. There was such a welcoming glow about her that radiated a spirit of warmth and sincerity. We recall always being greeted by Helene at all of the Masterworks Chorale concerts. She always added pleasure and enjoyment to the evening. It was so obvious that you and Helene shared a beautiful and loving marriage and you will now be so fortunate to have those delightful memories to enjoy and treasure forever. Also Dennis, I want you to know I will forever remember our wonderful days together at the college. I was always so amazed and impressed by the multiple musical abilities and talents that you so generously shared with students. You added such a vital and important dimension to the college. You made us all better. God bless and please take care!
We are so very sorry for your family’s loss, Cindy!! Your Mom was beautiful inside and out and I know she will greatly be missed!! Sending our thoughts and prayers and hugs during this difficult time!!
Helene was such a lovely, gracious woman, she will be missed by so many! My heart goes out to Dennis and his family and to everyone else whose lives she touched. I will miss her more than I can say. She has been a staple at her concerts since day one. I looked for her at every concert and made sure I got my hug!
Go with Grace, my friend.
Helene was absolute perfection. She was kind and always loved a good laugh and made you feel so loved and cared for. My hope for the Maestro and his family are the many memories that each of you have will be of comfort to all who loved her.
Cindy, I remember your mother as a wonderful, delightful person. It is very difficult losing your mother, but you are a believer and you know you will meet again.
We will miss her ebullient smile and welcome st all your concerts.
Helene was a gift to everyone around her: clear-eyed, discerning, tasteful, gracious, generous, and kind. Her radiant sense of humor and her joyful presence lit up any gathering blessed by her company. In conversation and in her comments and judgements, she was a model of honesty tempered by human warmth and without harshness. Her love and understanding of music – never flaunted, but so clear to those who knew her – was simply beautiful; to singers and performers, she was a supportive adviser and critic. She was incredibly welcoming and friendly to Daniel and me during and after my time with the Bach Society and helped us so very much to always feel at home there. We will miss her sorely and deeply mourn her loss. Our condolences and prayers go out to Dennis, their children and all the family.