Ellen Ora "Punky" Sparks, 72, died March 22 at her home in Great Bend. Born Feb. 10, 1939 in Great Bend, she was the daughter of Ora and Opal (Griffin) Ford. On Dec. 20, 1959 she married Robert Sparks in Great Bend. A resident of Great Bend since 1945, coming from Wichita, she was a realtor for Coldwell Banker Sell Real Estate and previously for Keenan Real Estate. Punky enjoyed her home life with her loving husband, Bob, and adoring pet, Peipi. She traveled to numerous Colorado locations with her girlfriends every summer. Punky enjoyed contact over the years with her many classmates and personal friends, including weekly lunches with them. She had the great fortune of living in close proximity to those family and friends who loved her most.

Mrs. Sparks was a member of the National, Kansas and Great Bend Board of Realtors. She was treasurer of the Kansas State Board of Realtors and chair of the ethics committee.

Survivors include her husband, Robert Sparks, of the home; a son, Danny Sparks and wife Michelle of Norman, Okla.; a daughter, Sherri Clark and husband Darrell of Kearney, Mo.; three brothers, Marvin Ford and wife Dee and Rocky Ford, both of Great Bend, Arlin "Bud" Ford and wife Joan of Boulder, Colo.; two grandchildren, Kayla Sparks of Arkansas City and Mindy Steinert of Kearney, Mo.; and 11 nieces and nephews.

Funeral services will be at 10 a.m. on Friday at Grace Community Church in Great Bend with Pastor Roy Savage officiating. Burial will be at the Great Bend Cemetery. Friends may visit from 1 to 9 p.m. with family receiving friends from 6 to 8 p.m. today at the funeral home. In lieu of flowers, the family requests memorial contributions to Barton County Humane Society in care of the funeral home. Condolences may be sent and notice viewed at www.bryantfh.net.