November 5, 1927– April 8, 2025

Arthur Spronk passed away on April 8, 2025, at the age of 97 years, 5 months, and 3 days. Funeral services were held Thursday, April 17, 2025, 10:30 a.m., at Bethel CRC with Pastors LeRoy Christoffels and Marlin Van Schepen officiating. Pallbearers were John De Berg, Charles De Berg, Christopher De Berg, Elliot Spronk, Austin Spronk, Aaron Spronk, Derrek Spronk, Pascal Spronk, and André Spronk. Honorary pallbearers were Michael Zwart, Jevon Groenewold, John Watkins, Joshua Houselog, and Joshua Stoep. Burial was in Hillside Cemetery, Edgerton.

Arthur Marvin Spronk was born November 5, 1927, to John and Gertie (Van Pykeren) Spronk in Clinton Township, Rock County, MN.

He was baptized in the Steen MN Reformed Church. In 1928 they moved to a farm south of Pipestone. Art attended country school until 1938, when they moved to a farm two miles east of Edgerton where Jerlyn Spronk now lives. He began attending the Edgerton Christian School in 4th grade where one of his classmates was Mayme Ann De Groot. They graduated from 8th grade in 1942. Art needed to work on the family farm since labor was in short supply – part of his family was in the military during World War II. Art enjoyed working with horses on the farm. He loved telling stories about his dad’s horses – King and Dan, the draft horses, and Tom and Teddy, the western horses. 

Art made profession of faith in 1948 in the first class of young adults of the newly-formed Bethel CRC. He was drafted by Uncle Sam. Prior to departure, Art and Mayme were married in Bethel on August 24, 1950. After basic training in Fort Leonard Wood, Missouri, he was sent to Camp Carson in Colorado Springs. While at Camp Carson, Mayme was able to join him in off-base living. Their daughter Wanda was born at the base hospital there. In July of 1951, the troops were transported to Haynes, Alaska. They walked and rode the Alaska Highway to Fort Richardson near Anchorage. Mayme and Wanda joined Art there.

After discharge from the Army in 1952, he started farming north of Edgerton on his father-in-law’s farm where Heine and Karen Walhof now live.

John, Warren, Harlan, Connie, Calvin, Ivan and Wayne were all born during that time. Warren and Connie died shortly after birth. John died in 1959 at age 6.

In 1964, they moved to a farm west of Edgerton where they raised their family. In the late 1970’s they purchased the neighboring farm of Art Baker where they began growing and processing seed, which grew into Spronk Seed Farm. Art often talked about the miracle of how seeds grow. “We can plant, but God makes it grow.”

Art served as a deacon and elder at Bethel, and as an elementary and high school board member. Art was an Elmer Township Supervisor for 26 years. 

Art enjoyed keeping in touch with his Army buddies. He served the American Legion with various functions, including setting up the Veterans Memorial on Main Street.

In 2001, Art and Mayme moved to Edgerton, where they enjoyed many activities. Art loved to go to the farm and help out where he could. In June of 2024, Art and Mayme moved into the Assisted Living Unit at Edgebrook. Arthur went home to be with Jesus on April 8, 2025, at the age of 97 years, 5 months, and 3 days.

He is survived by his wife, Mayme of 74 years; children: Wanda (Duane) De Berg, Diane Spronk, Calvin (Mary Ann) Spronk, Ivan (Lorilynn) Spronk, and Wayne (Suzanne) Spronk; 17 grandchildren, 31 great-grandchildren, and two sisters-in-law, Joan Spronk and Vonnie Walhof.

He was preceded in death by his children, John, Warren, Harlan and Connie, his parents, John and Gertie, parents-in-law, Harm John and Alice De Groot, siblings, Henry J (Alma), Gert (Peter J.) Krosschell, Bernard (Maggie), Gerrit (Caroline), and Jeanette (Gerald) Christoffels.