James Arthur Sprenger, 77 of Spearfish, passed from this life to his home in heaven April 19, 2015 at the Ft. Meade VA in Sturgis, SD, under hospice care, from heart failure. He was in declining health for over 20 years. His final decline came in December when he found out his brother, Robert, had a short time to live.

James was born November 5, 1937 at Carson ND to Arthur and Emma (Otto) Sprenger. He grew up on a farm along the Antelope Creek north of Elgin, ND along with his brother, Robert and two sisters, Mary Jean and Elizabeth. The family was very active at the country church near their home, Ebenezer Congregational Church - Old Leipzig. The family loved to sing together. He attended a country school and Elgin High School graduating in 1957. He attended Northwest Nazarene College and Dickinson State College. He served in the ND National Guard which he was called to active duty during the Berlin/Cuban Missile Crisis. He loved to tell about the standoff between Kruschev and President Kennedy, recalling their fear of war. He served as a Chaplain's assistant during his active duty service.

On September 21, 1963 he and Maridel Hoover were married at the Nazarene Church in Fessenden, ND. Nine years later on September 19 their daughter, Janette Talea was born. She was a great delight. She was his 'Jani'. She gave him three grandchildren, Angel, Simone and Antonio also an added joy, great-granddaughter, Brooklyn Eve.

Jim and Maridel lived in Bismarck, ND until 2005 when for health reasons he moved to Spearfish, SD to be close to his daughter. During the years in Bismarck Jim and Maridel's home had an open door to friends and relatives. One time a neighbor asked who all those people are who are at our house all the time. Jim called it Sprenger's Chateau Inn. He was employed by the ND State Highway Dept, USDA Ag Research Center, Roberts Floral, Schultz Creamery and Dan's Super Value.

Jim was active with his church where he taught Sunday School, served on boards as well as sharing his love for music. He was a Chaplain in the Gideon's and served on the board for Child Evangelism. For some years he and his good friend, Elmer Retzer, gave a church service at the Golden Manor at Steele, ND. He also sang with the Bismarck- Mandan Men's Chorus.

Jim was a dedicated Blood Donor giving over 18 gallons since his first donation in college, but never making his goal of 20 gallons. Because of a clotting factor he was able to save a mother's life after childbirth.

He is survived by his wife of 51 years, Maridel; daughter, Janette Sprenger, Lead, SD; grandchildren, Angel Britton, Simone and Antonio Serrano; great-granddaughter, Brooklyn Britton all of Spearfish, SD; sisters, Mary Jean (Wellde) Heinle, Dickinson, ND and Elizabeth Brockman (Leon Schacher) Colorado Springs, CO; sister-in-law, Margo Wanner, Colorado Springs, CO; brothers-in-law, Derald (Ruth) Hoover Stanley, ND and David (Lois) Hoover, Starkweather, ND.

He is preceded in death by his parents, Arthur and Emma Sprenger and his brother, Robert Sprenger.

A memorial service will be held at Bismarck Funeral Home, Calgary and Hwy 83 at 12:30 p.m., May 15th in Bismarck, ND. His final resting place will be back home in North Dakota at the ND Veterans Cemetery at Mandan ND. A combined burial for James and his brother, Robert, will be at 3 p.m. They will be buried beside each other.

A special thank you to all our friends and family for being a part of Jim's life. You are a part of rich and fun filled memories. Thanks go to the hospice care team at Ft Meade which went above and beyond in their care for him.

Arrangements are under the care of Fidler-Isburg Funeral Chapels and Crematory Service of Spearfish and Bismarck Funeral Home, Bismarck ND.