Magdalen C. Sprakel

Magdalen C. Sprakel, age 100 of Crofton, Nebraska died on Friday, September 13, 2024 at Avera Sacred Heart Hospital in Yankton, SD.

Mass of Christian Burial will be on Friday, September 20, 2024 at 10:30 a.m. at St. Rose of Lima Catholic Church in Crofton with the Rev. Jim Keiter officiating. Burial will be at Beaver Creek cemetery in rural Crofton. Visitation will be on Thursday, at church, from 5-7:00 p.m. with a Vigil Service at 7:00 p.m. Visitation will continue on Friday one hour prior to services. Arrangements are under the direction of the Wintz Funeral Home in Crofton.

The Mass will be livestreamed and can be viewed at www.facebook.com/wintzray.

Pallbearers will be Scott Zavadil, Matt Zavadil, Kyle Myers, Brandon Jones, Riley Sprakel, Joey Sprakel, and Brady Sprakel. Honorary pallbearers will be her grandchildren and great grandchildren.

 Magdalen Cecelia was born on November 11, 1923 in Rock Valley, Iowa to John and Mary B. (Shea) Rielly. She was not able to hear or speak so she attended a Catholic Deaf school from 1st grade to 6th grade in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. This where she first met Eugene. She then went to school in Council Bluffs, Iowa for the school for the deaf. Magdalen began working in Sioux City, Iowa for a Dry Cleaning business. She then reconnected with Eugene Joseph Sprakel at a deaf club. They were married on September 6, 1952 in Rock Valley, Iowa. Four children were born to this union, Robert, Mary Jean, Roger and John. Magdalen and Eugene farmed north of Crofton for many years. Eugene died on February 14, 2003 at the age of 84 years. She stayed on the farm until moving to Majestic Bluffs in Yankton in 2015.

 Magdalen was a member of St. Rose of Lima Catholic Church and its Ladies Guild. Magdalen communicated with her children and others who knew sign language her entire life. She kept active and attended the Crofton Church Bazaar even last weekend. She enjoyed spending time doing many puzzles over the years.

 Magdalen is survived by her three children Mary Jean (Terry) Zavadil of Menominee, Roger (JoAnn) Sprakel of Crofton, John Sprakel of Crofton; nine grandchildren; eight great grandchildren, and many nieces and nephews.

 She was preceded in death by her parents John and Mary Rielly; husband Eugene; son Bob Sprakel, great grandson Bentley Rethwisch; a sister Evelyn Rielly; two brothers Robert and Jack Rielly.