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Visitation:
Friday, February 27, 2026, from 9 - 11 a.m. at
Fricke-Calvert-Schrader Funeral Home in Lincoln.
Service:
Friday, February 27, 2026, at 11 a.m. at the funeral
home.
Funeral home:
Fricke-Calvert-Schrader, Lincoln
Obituary
Esther Ann Sparks, 78,
of Lincoln, IL, passed away on Thursday, February
19, 2026, at her home.
Esther was born on August 14, 1947, in Lincoln, the
daughter of Calvin and Etta (Klokkenga) Short.
Esther is survived by her children, Steve (Gina
Gemberling) Wibben and Cherie (Pat) Madigan;
grandchildren, Taylor (Hannah) Wibben, Chelsey (Tim)
Hilgendorf, Mary (Greg) Rankin, and Erin (Brady)
Smith; great-grandchildren, Kaiden Casper, Carter
Wibben, Hallie Wibben, Logan Hilgendorf, and Luke
Hilgendorf; and one sister, Maralee (William) Boerma.
She is also survived by several nieces, nephews, and
a handful of devoted friends.
She was preceded in death by her parents and sister,
Dixie Smith.
Esther loved nothing
more than being with her family, especially the
grandkids and great grands; sleepovers at “Nanny’s
house” were a favorite of all. She attended
countless ball games and events over the decades and
was always a vocal supporter. |
She doted on her dogs,
several of whom were lucky to share her home. Esther
loved Illini basketball, the Cardinals, working in
her yard, and traveling.
Memorial services for Esther will be held at 11:00
am on Friday, February 27, 2026, at
Fricke-Calvert-Schrader Funeral Home in Lincoln.
Visitation will take place two hours prior from 9:00
- 11:00 am, also at the funeral home. Burial will
follow the service at Bethel Chapel Cemetery in
Emden. Memorials may be made in Esther’s name to
WILD Canine Rescue in Springfield.
Click here to send a note of condolence to the family of Esther Ann
Sparks |
