Kenneth Adam Sprau, 92, Austin, formerly of Elkton, passed away Feb.19, 2009 at Austin Medical Center.
Born Sept. 17, 1916 in Meservey, Iowa to Fred C. and Lydia (Mayer) Sprau. A Navy veteran, he served in the South Pacific on USS Morris. Kenneth married Lillian Francis Anderson at the Marshall Church Parsonage, Adams, Minn. on May 3, 1941.
Kenneth worked for George A. Hormel as assistant manager of the Montevideo station and later in hog buying management at the Austin facility. He served as executive director of the Mower County ASCS office, now known as the Farm Service Agency, for 25 years.
Kenneth and his family raised Angus cattle and his children were active in 4-H and FFA. Sprau Farms enjoyed many honors and awards participating in the Mower County Steer Show. The family entries often placed well, particularly in carcass contests, setting a record at the Midwest Steer Show for having back-to-back champions. He was inducted into the Mower County Livestock Hall of Fame in 2001. He also served on a variety of boards including the Elkton and the Southland consolidation school boards.
In retirement, he and Lillian enjoyed traveling, especially to heritage countries of Germany, Norway, and Switzerland. They saw a majority of North America on tours and attending family events. His love for horses took him to horse shows and auctions, driving buggies and hitching the horses — always welcoming the opportunity to host events on the farm,
Kenneth is survived by his wife: Lillian Sprau, Adams; children include: Sondra (Jim) Rowe, Owatonna, Minn.; Allan (Loreen) Sprau, Rochester, Minn.; Dr. Jerald (Carol) Sprau, Woodbury, Minn.; Randall (Lynda) Sprau, West Chester, Pa.; Jill (Bob) Albrecht, Lafayette, Ind.; Lew Jean Sprau, Madison, Wis.; Rodney (Cathy) Sprau, Elkton; Jon (Melissa) Sprau, Dublin, Ohio; 23 grandchildren and 21 great grandchildren.
Kenneth was preceded in death by son, Kendal.
Visitation will be held Sunday, Feb. 22 from 3 to 6 p.m. at the Adams Funeral Home, Adams. Funeral services will be held at 1:30 p.m., Monday, Feb. 23, Marshall Lutheran Church, rural Adams.