Gene Sprung

Gene Sprung, age 89, of Milbank, SD, passed away on Saturday, November 4, 2023, at Milbank Area Hospital – Avera Health.

Funeral services will be held on Thursday, November 9, 2023, at 10:30 a.m. at Parkview Methodist Church in Milbank, SD. Visitation will be held on Wednesday evening, November 8, 2023, from 5:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. at Mundwiler Funeral Home in Milbank and will continue one hour prior to the service at the church on Thursday. Interment will be at Milbank City Cemetery.

Gene Arnold Sprung was born on December 20, 1933, in the house his grandfather built in Geneseo Township of Roberts County, SD, to Fred and Swanetta (Iblings) Sprung. He attended country school in Geneseo Township which was located a mile south of the family farm so he would walk to school every day. Gene didn’t attend high school, but he did later earn his G.E.D.

Joining the National Guards in Milbank 740^th Transportation Unit, Gene went to Basic Training in Missouri. He came down with pneumonia and spent some time in the hospital there.

Growing up farming with his parents, Gene purchased some farmland in 1959 from Westenfield’s. Then in 1961, Gene’s Guard Unit was called to active duty, and he spent 10 months at Fort Carson, CO. Following active duty, he came back home to farm with his father.

On a weekend home from Colorado, Gene agreed to go on a blind date set up by Jackie Jesser and Jerry Bowers with Jackie’s roommate from Minneapolis, Eunice Poppingo. Gene was smitten and knew he had found the love of his life. The two were united in marriage on September 7, 1963, at Central United Methodist Church in Milbank. The two were blessed with two sons: Tim and Todd.

When Gene wasn’t working in the fields or tending to farm work, he enjoyed spending time hunting and fishing and later enjoyed these activities with his boys and grandchildren. Many hours were spent as a family fishing on Big Stone Lake and at the Missouri River at Oahe with friends and neighbors. Gene also spent a lot of time ice fishing. In recent years, Gene enjoyed going West River deer hunting with Tim, Wyat, and Damonn. Good times were always had and lots of memories made.

Gene was active in his community, being on the Township Board for many years and volunteering for many different things at Parkview Methodist Church.

Gene is survived by his sons: Tim Sprung of Watertown, SD; and Todd (Dianna) Sprung of Corona, SD; six grandchildren: Tyhe (Kyle) Gerlach, Damonn (Alex) Mischke, Wyat Sprung, Mykcel Sprung, Logan Crown, and Zach Crown; two great-grandchildren: Kailynn Gerlach and Taysom Gerlach; along with many nieces and nephews.

Preceding him in death were his wife, Eunice in March of 2023; his parents; and sister, Arlene Stengel.