On the afternoon of July 23rd, Gary passed away at the Serenity House in Tomah WI, surrounded by family. Gary was 71 years old.

Gary was born May 2nd, 1944 to Hersil and Lorraine Sprague in Dupree, SD. At that time the Sprague family resided in the Cherry Creek area just outside of Dupree. The family later settled north of Mud Butte where Gary attended country school and then graduated from Newell High School in 1962. After high school, Gary attained a pilot's license and began flying crop dusting planes and also perfected the art of sheep shearing. In May of 1971 he married Nina Donahey. Gary and Nina lived in various places around Newell but finally bought a farm 2.5 miles east of Newell on Old Highway 212 where they raised 4 children; Letha, Amy, Toby, and Shelly. Gary kept his children busy; making sure they had cattle, sheep, and pigs to show at the 4-H county fair, horses to ride in the high school rodeo, and cars to run up and down the road to town as dad would say. He achieved this by taking pride in his work and always aiming for perfection. For example, Gary could stack the tightest, most symmetrical haystack you have ever seen! Even though Gary worked hard his entire life he always found time to have a little fun. He enjoyed shooting league pool, playing cards with his children and grandchildren, hunting, and has been known to enjoy a drink or two at the local bars, often entertaining folks with his "little ditties" and maybe telling a tall tale or two. Gary enjoyed socializing and would give the shirt off his back to all his friends and family. Gary retired from the Belle Fourche Irrigation District in 2010 where he was a heavy equipment operator. Gary spent the last 8 months of his life in Tomah WI to be closer to family stating he was "warm, full, and happy." Gary told many treasured stories of his adventuresome life to his grandchildren which they will surely retell to their children someday.

Gary was preceded in death by his wife Nina; brother Lou John Sprague; sisters Shirley Anderson and Carol Alvarez; parents Hersil and Lorraine Sprague; in-laws Robert and Dena Donahey and brother-in-law Marvin Peters.

Gary is survived by his son, Toby Sprague of Brooklyn, NY; 3 daughters, Letha (Roger) Pettera of Wilton WI, Amy (David) McCarthy of Tomah WI, Shelly (Matthew) Ruder of Dublin, OH; 3 grandchildren, Derek Limpert, Skyler and Madison McCarthy; 2 brothers, Dale (Ruth Ann) Sprague of Mud Butte, SD and Lyle (Kim) Sprague of Nisland, SD; 2 sisters, Pearl (Calvin) Geis of Belle Fourche, SD and Nancy (Casey) Barnum of Lander WY; brother-in-laws, Roy Anderson of Sturgis, SD and Benjamin Alvarez of Albuquerque, NM; sister-in-law Mona Peters of Rapid City, SD; brother-in-law Gary (Connie) Donahey of Newell, SD; along with many cousins, nieces, nephews, and other relatives.

Visitation will be on Tuesday, July 28th from 4:00 until 8:00 PM at the Newell Evangelical Church,110 E. 8th St., Newell, SD.

Services will be held on Wednesday, July 29th at 2:00pm at the church officiated by Pastor Tom Martin. Gary will be laid to rest at the Hope Cemetery in Newell, SD following the funeral. Please join the family at the Newell Senior Citizens Center for refreshments following the burial. A memorial will be established for Gary. Donations can be sent to 21773 Fleming Ave, Tomah, WI 54660.

A special thank you to Tomah Memorial Hospice Serenity House, Tomah Memorial Hospital, and his evening nurse Nikki for making Dad feel respected and comfortable. Also thank you to Sue and "Joe" for taking time to provide Dad with apple pie and goodies; Michelle for joking around and making him laugh and the neighborhood for all the support throughout Gary's stay in Tomah.

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