Dorothy Ann (Stover) Sprenkel was born February 24, 1938, in
WaKeeney, Kansas and departed our earth October 15, 2021, at the Graham
County Hospital in Hill City. A loving older sister to her younger
siblings, she admittedly appeared indifferent to their existence at
times.
She attended elementary and junior/senior high school in Hill City
and started her freshman year at Fort Hays State University in the Fall
of 1957. But the pull of love was too strong to keep her in school and
after finishing her freshman year, she came back to Hill City to marry
the man of her dreams, Dwayne Sprenkel. They were married in September
of 1958.
For the first few years of marriage, Dorothy worked for the Hill
City Times and as the 60’s came rolling in, so did her babies. Dorothy
juggled her work at the Times office while being a homemaker, but
eventually chose to be a full-time stay at home mom. In addition to
being a homemaker and mother, Dorothy volunteered as the Choir Director
for the First Presbyterian Church in Hill City, as well as fulfilling
piano/organ playing duties at the church. She remained active with her
children’s many activities and sporting events. One confession from
daughter Annie was that mom stayed up all night baking the best cookies
for the Graham County Fair, for which Annie would receive her purple
ribbons. The Sprenkel kids have many wonderful memories from their
childhoods in which Dorothy made every event feel special and unique to
them. Their home was always open and welcoming to their many childhood
friends who came to treat Dwayne and Dorothy as a set of second parents.
In the early to mid-80’s when most of the children were grown and
out of the house, Dorothy began the process to fulfill a life-long dream
and completed her Bachelor’s Degree in Education/History from Fort Hays
State University. Her first teaching position was in Morland as the
high school English teacher and her family could not have been prouder.
She taught for many years in Morland, but took early retirement when her
husband became ill. Sometime after the passing away of Dwayne in 2001,
Dorothy began looking for teaching positions again. As she was fond of
saying, “Aside from sex, teaching was the best activity she’d ever
done.” She was hired as a high school English teacher with the
Palco/Damar School District and stayed in that position for many years,
even teaching in the same classroom her father Gayle Stover taught. In
addition to teaching English in both school districts, Dorothy coached
Forensics and directed school plays.
In addition to her husband Dwayne, Dorothy is preceded in death by
her parents, Gayle and Anna Lou Stover; her sister Sara Lou Williams,
and her son-in-law Bill Grevas. Dorothy leaves behind many loved ones
and friends, but her biggest admirers are her children: Michael D.
Sprenkel (Patti), Bentonville, Arkansas; David G. Sprenkel (Melanie),
Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania; Annie E. Grevas, Salina, and Mary S. Hammond
(Ed), Hays; her brother J.F. Stover, Hill City; 11 grandchildren and
three great-grandchildren. Dorothy’s body was cremated and a private
family burial will occur. A Celebration of Life is scheduled for Friday,
November 26, 2021, at 3:00 PM at the First Presbyterian Church in Hill
City. Overflow will be available at the Guild Hall next door and the
service will be live streamed.
Memorials suggested to the First Presbyterian Church of Hill City, KS.