Robert T. Sponenburg

1947 - 2016

Robert T. Sponenburg, 68, of Pulaski, passed away peacefully Wednesday morning, March 16, 2016, at a Green Bay hospital from complications of a 4-year battle with pancreatic cancer.

The son of the late Harry and Helen (Kelly) Sponenburg was born May 23, 1947, in Gurnee, IL. The family moved to Kenosha when he was a young boy. Robert was a 1965 graduate of Kenosha St. Joseph High School.

On May 23, 1970, he celebrated his birthday by marrying his sweetheart, Barbara Aaron, at St. John Catholic Church in Union Grove. The couple raised their children and farmed in the town of Paris. He was an active member of St. John Parish, where he served on the parish school board and parish council. When the kids were growing up he was very active in 4-H, and was a 4-H dairy superintendant. He also served as treasurer for the Kenosha County Fair. His pride and joy was showing dairy cattle at various county fairs. He was proud when the family received several awards at the World Dairy Expo in Madison.

Survivors include his wife, Barbara; eight children, Ann (Rod) Sievert, Sobieski, Bob Sponenburg, Denmark, Chris Sponenburg, Seymour, Pat (Sue Cotter) Sponenburg, Pulaski, Tim (Tracy Stebane) Sponenburg, Kaukauna, Steve (Heather Bierhals) Sponenburg, Seymour, Sheila Sponenburg, Adam (Cassie Laes) Sponenburg, Green Bay; eight grandchildren: Zachary and Nicholas, Dominic, Brandon, Joseph, Isabella, Michael and Claytyn, and two new additions on the way; one brother, Donald (Jean) Sponenburg, Zion, IL; two sisters: Helen Mazlo, Waukegan, IL, and Lois Dalziel, Waukegan, IL; nieces and nephews, other relatives and friends; a sister-in-law, Barbara (Paul) Courtington, Wadsworth, IL; his mother-in-law, Ruth Aaron, Zion, IL; a brother-in-law, Dan (Cindi) Aaron, Gurnee, IL, a sister-in-law, Donna Faulkner, Milledgeville, IL, nieces and nephews, other relatives and friends. He was preceded in death by two brothers: Francis and John Sponenburg; one sister and a brother-in-law, Kathleen (Carl) Christenson; two brothers-in-law, Edward Mazlo and Bill Dalziel; a nephew, Tom Oberto; his father-in-law, Bill Aaron; and a brother-in-law, Jim Faulkner.

Friends may call at Marnocha Funeral Home, 186 E. Pulaski Street, Pulaski, from 2-6 p.m. Sunday, Closing Prayer Service at 5:30 p.m. Visitation continues after 10 a.m. Monday at Assumption B.V.M. Church, 119 E. Pulaski Street, Pulaski.

The Funeral Mass will be celebrated at 11 a.m. Monday at the church, Fr. Patrick Gawrylewski, O.F.M. presiding. Burial will follow in Elm Grove Cemetery, Laney.

The family would like to thank Dr. Nancy Davis for all her care and concern as well as Dr. Bosco and Dr. Pesola, and the entire staff of Aurora Bay Care Medical Center and the nurses with Aurora Home Health Care for the care they gave Robert over the last years.

Online condolences may be expressed at www.marnochafuneralhome.com