Esther Lois Bowen Sparks

Esther Lois Bowen Sparks, 82, died peacefully at her home in Eagle River on June 18, 2012, from complications of pancreatic cancer.

Funeral services were June 20 at St. John Orthodox Cathedral in Eagle River. She was laid to rest at St. John Cemetery.

Esther was born July 5, 1929, the seventh of 11 children born to Willis and Katherine Bowen at their ranch on the Musselshell River near Mosby, Mont. She received her registered nurse’s diploma in 1950 from St. Patrick’s Hospital School of Nursing in Missoula, Mont.

Esther enlisted in the U.S. Army and was stationed at Brooke Army Medical Center in San Antonio, Texas. There she met and married Jack Norman Sparks on April 11, 1953. They had four children.

Esther was the backbone of their family throughout their ministry with Campus Crusade for Christ, Christian World Liberation Front and Saint Athanasius Academy of Orthodox Theology.

In 2004, Esther and Fr. Jack moved to Eagle River to be near their children and grandchildren. She participated in the St. John women’s reading group, the Mary and Martha prayer team and has been a beloved member of St. John Orthodox Cathedral.

She has been a loving mother, grandmother and great-grandmother.

She is remembered as someone who never complained, had a strong faith and worked selflessly for others.

Surviving are her children, Stephen (Valorie), Robert, Ruth (Steve) and Jonathan; grandchildren, Jessica (Christopher), Luke (Kastle), Stephanie (Dan), David, Elizabeth, Timothy, and Kathleen; great-grandson, Christian; sisters, Donna Christianson of Hinsdale, Mont., Laura Knapp of Spokane, Wash., and Audrey Jurovich of Billings, Mont.; and other loving family members.

Preceding her in death was her beloved husband of 56 years, Fr. Jack; sisters, Dorothy, Irene, Jean and Eileen; brothers, Don, Russell and Buddy; and son-in-law, Dn. Christian.

The family would like to thank Melanie Bowe and all those who have visited, prayed, helped and cared for Esther during her illness.