Edwin "Ed" Sprenger

JANUARY 22, 1919 - NOVEMBER 15, 2013.

Edwin or Ed as he was known to his friends was born to Dorothea Schnabel Sprenger & Friedrich Fred Sprenger in Wishek, N.D. Ed was born into a family with 15 children which later added Ed, his brother Jacob and sister Lydia Sprenger Baranzini, both deceased. He moved from Wishek, N. D., to Dupree, So. Dak., when he was 6 years old. They farmed/ranched 1300 acres which was put into grain/corn/hay, with pastures that held cattle and horses. They grew huge gardens and raised their own meat. Making German Sausage was a tradition and rite of passage.

Ed met his future wife Clara Frankfurth at a dance and began dating 1940/41. They were married on December 27th 1942. For a short time they both left the farm to work in the Shipyards both in Bremerton and Tacoma as welders. The farm became available for purchase and they decided to buy it and return to Dupree, So. Dak. He and Clara worked hard and spent many hours in extreme weather conditions birthing, saving, and raising animals. With only an 8th grade education, Ed became a self taught expert in almost any trade. Name a letter of the alphabet and if there is a job attached to the letter, he could do it and do it well. He was a Farmer, Rancher, Mechanic, Blacksmith, Welder, Veterinarian Technician, Bronco Rider and Carpenter where he helped build the local Lutheran Church in Dupree.

Ed's passion was music. He played accordions, piano, organ and formed a band called: Ed Sprenger and the Ramblers. He also repaired accordions. He loved to dance in the styles of Old fashion Polka's and Waltz's. Both he and Clara taught their children how to dance and enjoy music as well and they have several talented musicians in the family. Sunday afternoons was a time for learning how to harmonize, figure out new dance steps and enjoy each other as a family. He never failed to enthrall his “audience” of his young grandchildren who were absolutely mesmerized when he would play his accordion. Ed was the family’s rock and solid foundation. His family will miss his steady hand and wise advice. He was a fan of good jokes and stories.

When arriving in Bremerton in 1956, the Sprenger Family found a church at Memorial Lutheran on Veneta Ave. When some of the congregation started a new church, Ed was involved in the building and became a founding member of Peace Lutheran Church on Riddell Rd. He built his home in Bremerton in 1961/62. Ed worked for 25 years in PSNS as a Welder Instructor and was President of Welder Union Local 48 for 10 years where he had a hand in increasing membership dramatically.

In 1973 Ed & Clara danced the Polka live on the Lawrence Welk show at the Seattle Coliseum. Ed retired in 1983. Ed leaves behind four surviving children: Eileen R. Harnett (John-deceased) Joyce L. Chandler (Douglas) Lyle E. Sprenger (Barbara) Allen W. Sprenger (Debbie). He was preceded in death by his wife Clara of 55 years of marriage, daughter Connie M. Taylor, Son-in-law John A. Harnett & Grandson John A. Harnett, Jr. His Grandchildren who love their Grandpa are: Heidi Harnett-Wakefield (Scott) Brooke Harnett-Acuff (Jameson) Jason K. Taylor, Melissa Chandler Mejia (Chris) Christopher Chandler (Lindsey) Darin Olsen, Danny Mullen (Jody) Jennifer Johnson, Stacy Trevino (Tim) Tammi Beam (Bill) Mikki Tolar (Tyler) Mindi Taylor (Joe), 20 Great Grandchildren and his dear friend, companion and caregiver, Carol Goodwin and many nieces and nephews.

A Memorial Service will be held Friday, Dec., 6th at 2:00 P.M., at PEACE LUTHERAN CHURCH, 1234 Riddell Rd. NE Bremerton, WA 98311. In lieu of flowers Ed would have liked us to share our good fortune with the Bremerton Food Bank - 1600 12th St. - Bremerton, WA. 98337 or the CK Food Bank - 3790 NW Anderson Hill Rd. - Silverdale, WA. 98383. A complete obituary is at website.