Kenneth Sprain

Sprain, Kenneth C. MADISON - Kenneth C. Sprain, age 81, passed away Monday July 16, 2007, at the Veterans Administration Hospital in Madison. Ken was born on May 30, 1926, at home in West Salem, the fourth child of Fred and Elizabeth (Wehrenberg) Sprain. Ken was baptized July 15, 1926, and was confirmed on April 2, 1939, at Christ Lutheran Church in West Salem. Ken graduated from West Salem High school in 1943. After high school Ken enlisted in the Navy during World War II, where he served in the Philippine Islands. For his service in the Navy, Ken was distinguished with the Victory, American Area, Asiatic Pacific and Philippine Liberation Ribbons. Ken entered the University of Wisconsin in 1946. He received a bachelors degree in business administration in 1949 and a masters of business administration in 1952. On Dec. 27, 1947, Ken married his true love, Roberta Maude Rowe, at the West Salem Presbyterian Church. Ken and Roberta were married for 59 years. After college Ken pursued a successful career in accounting including 10 years with AO Smith Corporation, 17 years at Wisconsin Physicians Service and 14 years with the Wisconsin Alumni Research Foundation. Throughout this life Ken was active in professional, community and church service. Ken served as the president of the Southern Wisconsin Chapter of the National Association of Accountants and was active in the Madison Opportunity Center and the Madison Art Center. Ken joined the Optimists in 1977, serving as West Madison Club president in 1981. After serving as lieutenant governor for the Wisconsin Upper Michigan District, Ken was elected governor in 1988 and was awarded "Distinguished" designation for his strong leadership. Ken subsequently served on several committees at the international level and also on the board of directors of the Optimist International Foundation. In 1991, working with the La Crosse Breakfast Club, Ken and Roberta traveled to Dubna, Russia (sister city to La Crosse), where Ken represented Optimists International to install one of the first Optimist clubs in Russia. At the local level, Ken spearheaded a fund drive for a scholarship dedicated to Burt Hable, Optimist, teacher and football coach at West High School for 40 years. This fund awards two $1,000 scholarships every year to West High graduates. In 1998 Ken was honored with the ?Henry Steiner? Award, which is given for longtime commitment and contribution to the Optimist District. Over the years Ken has been very active in Lutheran Church of the Living Christ. He served on many boards and in a number of leadership positions, including executive director during planning for the new Sanctuary. He served as a respected advisor to the congregation for many years. An avid sports fan, Ken loved the Badgers, the Packers and the Brewers with equal enthusiasm. Even in retirement he was extremely vibrant and involved, serving the Optimists, working part time for Asbury Church, golfing and bowling. Until a couple of years before his death, he maintained a huge garden. He grew apple, peach, pear and cherry trees, raspberry bushes and sweet corn, as well as a large array of flowers, roses, lilies, dahlias and peonies. He was a devoted husband and father who was always there for his family. Ken loved to have fun. He will be remembered as someone who always gave fully of himself to all the communities in which he lived. Ken will be dearly missed by family, friends and the many individuals his volunteer efforts touched. He is survived by his wife, Roberta; his three children, Jeanne Sprain (Gus) Barto of Sauk City, Susan Sprain (James) Lundgren of Houston, Texas, and Kenneth Scott (Melanie) Sprain of Sun Prairie; his grandchildren, James (Angela) Barto of Edgerton, Josh and Clinton Sprain of Madison, and Sofia Lundgren of Houston, Texas; his brother, Russell Sprain of West Salem; his sister, Eleanor Bounds of Freeport, Ill.; and numerous nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by his three brothers, Calvin, Donald and Richard. Funeral services will be held at LUTHERAN CHURCH OF THE LIVING CHRIST, 110 N. Gammon Road, Madison, at 11 a.m. on Saturday, July 21, 2007, with the Rev. Daniel Kowert presiding.There will be a visitation to remember Ken from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. on Friday, July 20, 2007, at the church. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to the Burt Hable Scholarship Fund through the West Madison Optimists Club or to the Memorial Garden Fund at the Lutheran Church of the Living Christ.