Gifferd Burton Sparks, 80, passed away on May 24, 2016, at his home in rural Sargeant, Minnesota.

Gifferd was born on Sept.9, 1935, the son of Arthur and Emma (Berge) Sparks in Sargeant. He graduated from Hayfield High School in 1953. He married Esther Rohne on June 6th, 1958. Gifferd was in the auction business with his dad, Art Sparks for many years. He was a dairy farmer until 1997, and then he worked Security for Hormel in Austin. Giff and Esther enjoyed camping and took many bus trips. He especially loved Allis Chalmers Tractors and attended many tractor shows.

Gifferd is survived by his wife, Esther Sparks, Sargeant, Minnesota; children, Rhonda (Frank) Zimprich, Janesville, Minnesota; Tracy (Mark) Tindal, Austin, Minnesota; Glenda (Russ) Garness; Hayfield, Minnesota; Gene (Cindy) Sparks, Austin, Minnesota; six grandchildren, Andrew Garness (Cassey), Jenna (Jacob) Standke, Jeremy Garness, Melissa (Andrew) Getchell, Brittney (Jake) Tuzinski, Michael (Ashley) Tindal; four great granddaughters, Cheyenne Garness, Madalyn Garness, Paige and Piper Standke; siblings, Arlene (Bob) McNeill, Larry (Sharon) Sparks, David (Jacci) Sparks, Clinton (Wendy) Sparks; brother-in-law, Harold (Virginia) Rohne and sister-in-law, Edith (Neil) Haskin. He was preceded in death by his parents.

The funeral service for Gifferd Burton Sparks will be 10:30 a.m. Friday, May 27, 2016, at First Baptist Church, 206 East Main Street in Brownsdale, Minnesota, with Pastor Ken Petzold officiating. Interment will be in Waltham Township Cemetery in rural Waltham. Visitation will be 4 to 7 p.m. Thursday, May 26, 2016, at Czaplewski Family Funeral Home, 501Second St. NW in Hayfield and one hour before the service at the church on Friday.