Kent Sprague

1944 - 2025

Kent Sprague

February 4, 1944 - August 10, 2025

Kent Sprague liked to help. Whether you were starting a 4-H club or trying to hang level shelves in a crooked house, Kent was the guy to call. In fact, you wouldn't even need to call him. He'd know what you needed almost before you did and be there to pitch in as a builder, community volunteer, and genuine friend offering wise counsel and well-considered perspectives.

Born on February 4, 1944, in Chippewa Falls to William and Dolores (Cardinal) Sprague, Kent became an avid Boy Scout, where he grew into a first-class campfire builder and internalized the principles of Scout Law that defined his life: trustworthiness, loyalty, friendliness, and helpfulness.

In seventh grade, Kent offered to help classmate Connie Post with her math. Their friendship eventually grew into romance, and on April 10, 1965, they vowed to go through the rest of their lives side by side, through all kinds of weather. On the south shore of Lake Wissota, they remade a small cottage into a home and raised their two daughters.

Professionally, Kent's inner compass guided him to a career in social work. He earned a bachelor's degree from UW–Eau Claire and a master's degree from the University of Michigan and had a fulfilling 33-year career improving the lives of children, people with disabilities, aging adults, and their families. His colleagues spoke of his integrity, compassion, humor, and wisdom and said if he hadn't been a social worker, he probably would have been a teacher or "the world's oldest Boy Scout."

Kent had an abiding love of nature and found peace in watching the sun set over the lake or rise over the mountains. Time spent at his cabin near Sand Creek was especially dear to him. He and Connie hiked, biked, and paddled countless miles in their decades of travel and loved sharing those experiences with family and friends. He especially delighted in time spent with his grandchildren, whether traveling to special places or simply sitting around a table playing a raucous game of cards. A man of myriad talents, Kent had a beautiful singing voice as well as a pitch-perfect whistle. Toward the end of his life, he found solace in music and comfort in nature and the Catholic faith of his childhood.

As Parkinson's slowly stole his autonomy, he knew when it was time to hand over his keys and accepted help with grace and gratitude. He endured without complaint, only showing frustration when he was no longer able to help those he loved. In his last weeks, true to his lifetime of caring for others, he wanted to know if Connie and the girls would be okay without him.

On Sunday, August 10, 2025, Kent, passed away peacefully at home, with his family. He will be remembered for his kindness, humor, empathy, generosity, wonderful smile, and above all, his devotion to Connie and family.

Kent is survived by Connie, his wife of 60 years; daughters, Kristi Sprague and Erin Sprague, both of Madison; grandchildren, Eli (Haley) Klepzig of Whitewater and Safina Klepzig of Madison; siblings, Dianne Frenette of Eau Claire, Mary Jane Sullivan of Chippewa Falls, and Richard (Judy) Sprague of Chippewa Falls; and many other relatives and dear friends.

He was preceded in death by his parents; grandchildren, Mira Joy Sprague-Klepzig and Casey William Sprague-Klepzig; and brothers-in-law, Joe Frenette and Patrick Sullivan.

Visitation will be from 4 to 6 p.m., Wednesday, August 20, at Pederson-Volker Funeral Chapel, Chippewa Falls. A funeral service will be held at 11 a.m., Thursday, August 21, at the Heyde Center. Visitation will also be held one hour prior to the service on Thursday at the Heyde Center.

The family would like to thank the team at Mayo Clinic Hospice for the compassionate care they provided to Kent and his family.

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be directed to Wisconsin Public Television pbswisconsin.org/donate/, the Family Support Center https://familysupportcentercf.org/donate, Parkinson's Foundation parkinson.org/, or The Nature Conservancy https://preserve.nature.org

Pederson-Volker Funeral Chapel & Cremation Services, Chippewa Falls, is serving the family. Please share your memories or condolences online at pedersonvolker.com.