Elma was born January 23, 1931, died August 11, 2024. Elma was a lifelong resident of Spring Hill, Iowa.

Elma is survived by her children, Sharon Gentry (Ray), Matt (Jan) Sparks and Roxanne Sparks; grandsons, Troy Gentry (Holly), Todd Gentry and Michael (Rachel) Sparks; great-grandchildren, Ronin Sparks, Wyatt Gentry, Lincoln Sparks, Griffin Sparks, Fiona Sparks. She is preceded in death by her husband, David Sparks; parents, Bert and Alice (Dewey) Cooper; brother, Raymond Cooper.

After her last child turned 5 years old, she wanted to go to work to supplement the family income, but Dave did not want her to work outside the home. He finally conceded she could go to work if she found a job in Spring Hill, figuring the chances of that were slim. She began work at the Spring Hill Consolidated School in 1960 as the school's cook, her kindergartener joining her in the kitchen every other day. She continued at Spring Hill after it joined the Norwalk Community School district, primarily working as the school printer and substitute teacher scheduler, retiring in 2002.

Charitable contributions in memory of Elma can be made to Unity Point at Home, Des Moines Foundation, 1415 Woodland Ave, Ste. E-200, Des Moines, Iowa 50309.  http://bit.ly/honor-a-loved-one. Interment was held in the Webb Cemetery, Rural Spring Hill, IA, August 12, 2024.