Maxine Frieda Gregerson Sparks

Maxine was born on July 25, 1932, in Banida, Idaho, to Fred and Frieda Gregerson. Although she had two brothers, they both died in infancy, making Maxine the oldest of six girls. She was as skilled in driving a tractor to help her dad on their family farm as she was graceful in dancing with Bill.

Beginning her education in a one room school in Banida where she attended through the sixth grade, Maxine later graduated from Preston High School as Valedictorian.

On September 11, 1950, Maxine married her sweetheart and the love of her life William L. Sparks in the Logan Temple. As a new bride, she and Bill started their life together in a new home Bill built for them in Banida. In 1962 they moved to Brigham City where they also made many dear friends.

Maxine was a supportive and dedicated wife, as well as a loving and devoted mother to five children: Brad Sparks, Ogden UT; Lexine and the late John Hadfield, Rancho Cucamonga, CA; Jeri Wallace, West Haven, UT; Kelly and Gayleen Sparks, Idaho Falls, ID; and Karen and Mark Cronin, Perry, UT. She also loved and enjoyed spending time with her 17 grandchildren, 32 great-grandchildren, and 3 great-great-grandchildren.

Maxine was active in The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints all her life. She served in presidencies within the ward and stake Relief Society and Primary, as a gospel doctrine teacher, and teaching temple prep classes with her husband. She also served as an organist for over 73 years as well as playing the organ in the Ogden, Nauvoo, and Brigham City temples. She served as a temple officiator with her husband in the Ogden and Nauvoo temples and they served missions to Corpus Christi, TX and Nauvoo, IL. Maxine has a firm and sweet testimony of our Savior and Redeemer, Jesus Christ, the truthfulness of His restored gospel and church, The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, and spent her life walking the covenant path with her husband and family to return back into His presence.

Maxine’s life mission was to love, teach, and tenderly serve her family and anyone she saw in need. She loved to share the gift of music and taught piano lessons for over 20 years. She also accompanied a double trio of dear friends that performed in many community and church events.

Visiting with family and friends, attending the temple, and studying the scriptures were some of Maxine’s favorite things to do these past few years. The family expresses their great appreciation to all those who stopped and visited with her over the years, especially since Bill’s passing in 2008. Visitors always made her day a little brighter. She also enjoyed tending to her beautiful home and flower and vegetable gardens, making photo journals for her family members, and making nut balls to share, especially at Christmastime. She and Bill loved to travel, and they visited 38 states and 10 countries.

Maxine radiated the light of Christ and had the endearing traits of kindness, humility, unconditional love, compassion, selflessness, and service. She had a fun sense of humor and was very hardworking, trustworthy, fun-loving, and was a beautiful seamstress and quilter.

Maxine was able to celebrate her 90th birthday in July of this year at a beautiful party with her family.

Maxine was preceded in death by her husband Bill, her parents, two brothers, three sisters, and her in-laws. She is survived by two sisters: Josephine (Miles) Geddes, and Connie (Richard) Wakefield, and her children.

Funeral services will be held Saturday, December 31, 2022, at 12:00 noon at the Brigham City 19th Ward, 105 Fishburn Dr, Brigham City, UT. The service will be livestreamed and can be accessed here: https://zoom.us/j/93603667132

Friends may call Friday, December 30, from 6:00 to 8:00 pm at Myers Mortuary, 205 South 100 East, Brigham City, UT, and at the church on Saturday from 10:30 to 11:30 am.

Interment in the Brigham City Cemetery.

The family expresses their gratitude to the medical professionals and family who have so tenderly cared for Maxine, and for friends and family who enriched Maxine’s life.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests contributions be donated to the Temple Fund or Missionary Fund of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.

Condolences may be sent to the family at www.myers-mortuary.com.