Hazel Sant Sparks

Preston, Idaho Hazel S. SparksPreston - Hazel Sant Sparks, 71, completed her journey here on April 12, 2008 following a battle with cancer. She was born June 5, 1936, in Preston Idaho, the oldest child of Anna May Williamson and Kenneth Lloyd Sant. Hazel was raised in Preston and graduated from Preston High School where she participated in FHA, Chorus and Pep Club. She attended Stevens-Heneger Business College in Salt Lake City where she was honored at graduation for being the first student in the school's then 47 year history to receive two associates degrees: Accounting/Business Administration and Executive Secretary.Hazel worked as the accountant for the A. Keyser Company for ten years. During that time she was active in the Young Republicans, served as a secretary for the Salt Lake Association of Insurance Women, sang in Jay Welch's Sacra Dulce Choir and was a fan of the Salt Lake Bees and Utah Symphony. On May 11, 1964 she married Norman Keedy Sparks in the Salt Lake Temple. Her cousin, Elder Delbert L. Stapley, performed the ceremony. Over the next 12 years, the Sparks family grew and lived in Utah, California, and Nevada before settling back in her hometown of Preston where they have lived and raised their family. She has always enjoyed being an active member of the church community and over the years has served as teacher, counselor, secretary, and chorister in the various organizations. She has a strong testimony of the gospel, which was very important to her. After retirement she joined the Daughters of Utah Pioneers where she was lesson leader for her camp.After being a stay at home mom for many years, Hazel worked for a short time as a C.N.A. at the Franklin County Nursing Home and Sunshine Terrace before brushing up on her secretarial skills. She worked for 18 years at Utah State University' Center for Persons with Disabilities as an administrative assistant, retiring two years ago. She cherished the many friends she had at the University. Her greatest joy was her family she was so proud of them and their many accomplishments. She looked forward to the annual Sparks reunion and camping, hiking and enjoying the outdoors with her children and grandchildren.She is survived by her husband Norman, and seven children, Roger (Julie) Sparks, Phoenix, AZ; William (Heather) Sparks, Salt Lake City, UT; Daniel (Kari) Sparks, Orem, UT; Catharine, Ashland, OR; Michael of Preston; Susan of Preston; and Joann of Salt Lake City, UT; special grandchildren Noah, Anna, Kyle, Maddie, Graysee, Abbey, and Olivia, a sister Linda, and a brother Lloyd also survive her. She was preceded in death by her parents brother Lyle, and sisters Loann, Una, and Elaine.Funeral services will be held Friday, April 18, 2008 at 11:00 a.m. in the Preston 8th Ward Chapel, 213 South 2nd East with Bishop Randy Wakley conducting. Friends may call Thursday from 6-8 p.m. at Webb Funeral Home, 109 East Oneida in Preston, and Friday from 9:30-10:30 a.m. at the church. Interment will be in the Preston Cemetery. Condolences may be sent to the family at www.webbmortuary.com.