Donald Earl Sparks

Donald E. Sparks, 85, a longtime area resident, most recently of Rochester, MN, died peacefully on Wednesday, September 3, 2025, at Mayo Clinic St. Mary’s Hospital of stage 4 colon cancer and its related complications.

Don was born April 27, 1940, in Dodge Center, MN to William and Valetta (Bernard) Sparks. He attended Kasson-Mantorville schools where he was an excellent athlete and graduated in 1958. He attended Rochester Junior College and Mankato State University where he received his bachelor’s degree in English and Physical Education in 1962. He married the love of his life, Elsie M. Lee, on June 10,1962, at East St. Olaf church in Rock Dell. He and Elsie started teaching in Iowa and then he received his master’s in Guidance Counseling from MSU in 1966. The couple moved to Rochester, and he then started his guidance counseling career at Rochester Public Schools. He received his Education Specialist degree in 1988, from MSU and went on working for RPS. He retired from Rochester in 2000, where he then started working at Grand Meadow schools until 2006. From 2006, until he finally retired in 2015, he continued working in area schools in various roles including counselor, teacher, and coach. After retirement he enjoyed spending time with his wife and family, woodworking, gardening, and following all the sports.

Don is survived by his loving wife; his daughter, Sonja (Fred) Ziegler of Byron; his grandchildren, Kira and Kyle Ziegler; a brother, Charles (Ann) Sparks of Preston; and sister, Nancy (Lyle) Aarsvold of Crosby MN. He was preceded in death by his son, Scott Sparks and his parents.

A funeral service will be held at 2:00 p.m. Saturday, September 6, 2025, at Czaplewski Family Funeral Homes, 801 7th St SE in Kasson, MN with Pastor John Weisenburger officiating.  Visitation will be held one hour prior to his service at the funeral home. A coffee fellowship with an assortment of desserts will follow his service. Inurnment will be in Maple Grove Cemetery in Kasson, MN.

To share a special memory or condolence please visit www.czaplewskifuneralhomes.com, Czaplewski Family Funeral Homes, 801 7th St SE Kasson, MN 55944 (507)634-6510. Blessed be his memory.