Pauline Sponberg

Pauline “Polly” A. Sponberg, age 87, passed away peacefully at her home near New Richland, MN on Monday, October 16, 2017 surrounded by her family. Funeral services will be held at 11:00 A.M. on Saturday, October 21, 2017 at Vista Lutheran Church, rural New Richland. Pastor Brian Gegel will officiate. Visitation will be held Friday evening from 5:00 P.M. until 8:00 P.M. at Bonnerup-Friedrich Funeral Home, 217 W Division St, New Richland, and again one hour prior to the service at church. Interment will be in the Vista Lutheran Cemetery.

Pauline Ardis was born on December 1, 1929 to parents Peter and Olava (Bridley) Knutson in Albert Lea, Minnesota. She attended grade school in a one-room schoolhouse, Bell School. Polly graduated from Albert Lea High School in 1948 and from St. Olaf College in 1952. She was a teacher in Pocahontas, Iowa and New Richland, Minnesota, serving on the New Richland-Hartland School Board for 15 years.

On March 19, 1955 Pauline married Darrol Sponberg at Oakland Lutheran Church, where she had been baptized and confirmed. She helped her husband in their trucking and farming business.

In her free time, Polly enjoyed playing cards, gardening, mowing, and watching her grandkids’ activities. She will be deeply missed by her family.

Survivors include her son, David (Lee) Sponberg; daughters, Paula Priebe and her children Madison, Jackson, and Allison; daughter, Karla Christopherson, Doug Christopherson and their girls Abby, and Olivia; sister, Elaine Buley; brother-in-law, Adryn (Donna) Sponberg; sister-in-law, JanaLee Sponberg; as well as numerous nieces and nephews.

Polly was preceded in death by her husband, Darrol; parents, Peter and Olava Knutson; sister, Ione (Tom) Morris; brothers, Paul Knutson, Vernon Knutson, and Clare (Mavis) Knutson; son-in-law, Terry Priebe.

Memorials preferred to the American Heart Association.