Delwin Golden (Dutch) Sparks, 59, returned to his Father in Heaven on Wednesday, April 28,
1999, at the V.A. Medical Center in Salt Lake City, Utah, due to complications after recent surgery. He was
born Feb. 6, 1940, in Montpelier, Idaho, to Golden (Dutch) and Zula Bird Weaver Sparks. He attended
schools in Dingle and Montpelier before entering the U.S. Navy in 1957 at age 17. He received his diploma
while serving his four-year term in the Navy. He was honorably discharged in 1961. The Navy gave him the
opportunity to see many places throughout the world and experience many things. He loved to tell his family
stories of his years on ship. On March 7, 1962, in Soda Springs he married Betty A. Watson, the daughter
of Johnny O. and the late Della Patterson Watson. In their 37 years of marriage they lived in Soda Springs,
Montpelier, Sage Junction, Border and Salt Lake City, but they always returned home to Dingle and made
their permanent home there to raise their children. Throughout his life, he was employed by Union Pacific
Railroad, Mark III and various farms and ranches in Bear Lake Valley. He was last employed for Bear Lake
County and was forced to retire early due to an ailing heart. He was always a hard worker who rose early
even when it wasn't necessary.He spent his years of retirement enjoying his free time and family, especially
his three grandchildren. He was an avid sportsman who enjoyed hunting, fishing and trapping. He loved to be
outdoors more than anything and often took mountain rides to see the scenery when he was unable to walk
and enjoy it. His family will miss his carpentry talent and his ability to fix anything large or small. He was a
jack-of-all-trades, and his help was always needed. He loved to help people and keep busy. He took great
pride in helping his mother in every way that he could. He was a member of the LDS Church. Delwin is
survived by his mother, Bird Sparks, and his wife, Betty, both of Dingle; four children, Rick and Susan
Ahrens of St. Cloud, Florida; Marie and Mark Rasmusson of Montpelier; SRA Lynn G. Sparks of Las Vegas,
Nev.; Jannelie Sparks of Dingle; one brother, Harold and Carol Sparks of Dingle; one sister, Lynette Young
of Layton, Utah; and the twinkle in his eyes was for his three grandchildren, Heather Dawn and Cameron
James Ahrens and Markus Jordan Rasmusson. He was preceded in death by his father and grandparents.
He was loved by all who knew him and will be dearly missed. Funeral services were held Tuesday, May 4,
in the Dingle LDS Ward chapel. Burial was in the Dingle
Cemetery.