Leonard Dale Sprague passed away on Sunday, Aug. 18, 2024, at Parkview Heights Care Home in Garnett, Kansas. He was born on March 17, 1934, at his family home near Lone Elm, Kansas. Old Doc Kennedy, from Blue Mound, came to the farm west of Kincaid to deliver the sixth of seven children born to Arthur G. and Ester Jean (Roberts) Sprague. The doctor had stopped on his way to the farm to treat a patient with scarlet fever and administered his first sulfa drugs to that patient. Unfortunately, he infected Dale with scarlet fever; however, Dale went on to enjoy 90 years of good health.
On Feb. 14, 1954, Dale married Fern C. Huggins. Together, they raised three children: Lonnie Dale, Latricia Bethine and Shayla Daline. In 1975, Dale and Fern purchased the Farmers State Bank in Blue Mound. They later divorced.
On Easter Sunday, when Dale was 29 years old, he accepted Jesus as his Lord and Savior. Dale had been conflicted for some time, going so far as to make sure he was behind the barn when he knew a certain neighbor would be driving by on his way to church each Sunday.
On Aug. 6, 1982, Dale married Janice Brock Johanning, adding another daughter, Elaine (Johanning) Jaeger, and a son, Fred Johanning, to the family. They spent most of their married life on a farm northeast of Blue Mound. Dale had a lifelong love of livestock, raising cattle, elk and buffalo over the years.
Farmers State Bank continued to grow under Dale’s leadership, and branches were added in Pleasanton in 1989 and Garnett in 1990. He often said that his greatest joy in banking was seeing his customers succeed using funds borrowed from the bank. He served as Chairman of the Board of the bank until his death.
He loved his kids and grandkids and was very proud of each one of them. As great-grandkids joined the family, they brought him much joy as well. He loved to work and said that work was his “hobby,” but as he got older, time with his kids and grandkids became more and more precious.
Dale was preceded in death by his parents; siblings Virgie, Wilbur, Maxine and his baby sister, Faye; and a granddaughter, Nicole Jaeger.
Dale is survived by his wife of 42 years, Janice; son, Lonnie (Jo Helen); daughter, Trish Gaynor (Ron); daughter, Shayla Sprague (Jody); daughter, Elaine Jaeger (Erik); and son, Fred Johanning. Also surviving are 10 grandchildren, 13 great-grandchildren and his brothers, Ernest and Clyde.
