Harry Sprague

Harry Milton Sprague, son of Curtis E. and Rosella (Colip) Sprague, was born January 29, 1922 in rural Almena, Kansas. He departed this life on Sunday, August 11, 2019 at the Webster County Community Hospital in Red Cloud, Nebraska at the age of 97 years, 6 months and 12 days.

Harry’s early childhood was spent in Almena, Kansas. At the age of sixteen he moved with his parents to a farm north of Edison, Nebraska and graduated from Edison High School, He joined the United States Army Signal Corps in 1944, and received an honorable discharge in 1946. While in the Army he was a sharp shooter and a mechanic and served in the European Theatre, the Philippines, Japan and he was the only machine gunner in his outfit.

After leaving the service Harry was in the oil business in Edison, Nebraska with his brother, Paul, for five years. He then moved to Hastings and on July 2, 1953 was united in marriage with Regina T. Heltenberg. This union was blessed with a son, Curtis Paul. In July of 1956, they moved to Red Cloud and started the Sprague Nursing Home. On June 1, 1966, they opened the new Sprague Nursing Home of which he was Administrator until he retired in 1983. After they retired Harry and Regina loved to travel and did so until Regina passed away February 14, 1997. He married Phoebe Bear on March 27, 2000.

Harry was a member of the First United Methodist Church, the Red Cloud Lions Club, the American Legion, the National Campers and RVr’s Association, the Republican Valley Sodbusters and for many years the Nebraska Health Care Association.

Preceding him in death were his parents, his wife, Regina; three brothers, Berle, Paul and Duane; and sisters, Ora Wagner, Elda Becker and Opal Brown.

Left to treasure his memory are his wife, Phoebe; his son, Curtis and wife, Clarissa; a brother, Leroy and wife Joan; other relatives and a host of friends.

Funeral services were Saturday, 11:00 a.m., August 17, 2019 at the First United Methodist Church in Red Cloud with the Rev. Dan Albers officiating. Interment with military honors was at the Sacred Heart Cemetery in Hebron, Nebraska with Rev. Rick Jones officiating..

Williams Funeral Home
241 West 4th Avenue
Red Cloud, Nebraska  68970

Phone 402-746-2500
williamsfuneralhomes@yahoo.com

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