Karla Sparks
May 24, 1962 - June 16, 2021
Obituary
Karla Kay Sparks, 59, of Fitchburg, formerly of Platteville, passed away Wednesday, June 16, 2021 with her children by her side. Memorial services will be at 2:00 PM, Sunday, June 27, 2021 at the Melby Funeral Home & Crematory, Platteville. Pastor Mary Ann Floerke will officiate. Friends may call from 12:00 PM (Noon) until the time of the service at the funeral home. Memorials may be made to the Karla K. Sparks Memorial Fund. Online condolences can be made at www.melbyfh.com
Karla was born on May 24, 1962 in Platteville to Jerald “Jake” and Lavonne (Bloom) Rice. She graduated from Platteville High School in 1980. After high school she worked at Advance Transformer, Platteville until it closed. She went to further her education at SWTC, Fennimore, and later worked as a disability examiner for the State of Wisconsin Disability Bureau in Madison for 18 years. And finally, Karla's favorite job was at Ho-Chunk Casino, Madison, as their promotional manager where she had the opportunity to attend Packers and Badger games. Karla had a beautiful smile that could light up a room and a laugh that was contagious. If you met Karla, you'd surely remember her.
She is survived by her two children, Vanessa (Cody Woerpel) Sparks, and Jacob Sparks and their father Daniel; granddaughter, Ellie Sparks; mother, Lavonne Rice; brother, Jeff (Pauline) Rice; sister, Lori (Steven) Gibson; sister-in-law, Judy Rice; special friend Don Temple; aunts and uncles, Marlene Bloom, Cheryl Bloom, Merle and Sheena Rice, Dick and Joanne Rice, Marilyn Abing; nephews and nieces, Shane (Valene) Ames, Ben (Nina) Rice, Samantha (Bob) Adams, Austin Gibson, and Janet Eayrs. Along with many cousins and close lifelong friends. She was preceded in death by her father, and brother, Dave Rice.
Karla loved her family and friends immensely, she was the best story teller, and had a heart of gold. She will be missed.