Claudia Vaughn, 78, passed away Saturday, August 5, 2023 at Doughtery House in Sioux Falls, SD. Funeral services will be at 10:00 AM, Thursday, August 10, 2023 at the First Reformed Church in Mitchell. Visitation will be from 5:00 PM until 7:00 PM with a 6:30 prayer service and time of sharing on Wednesday, August 9, 2023 at Will Funeral Chapel. In lieu of flowers the family requests memorials be donated to the Doughtery Hospice House in Sioux Falls.

Claudia Kay Sparks was born on July 17, 1945 in Homer, Nebraska to Lenora (Serr) & Orville B. Sparks.  She passed away August 5, 2023, at the Dougherty Hospice House. She grew up in South Dakota/Nebraska. She met Merle Vaughn at the young age of 16 and knew instantly she was going to marry him.  They were married on September 3, 1961, and we're thrilled when their daughter Cathy Kaye was born on Christmas Day in 1967 in Nürnberg Germany where Merle was stationed in the army. She cared for Merle during his cancer journey and he died March 5, 2009, just a few months short of their 48th anniversary.

She worked as a waitress, cook, and owner of the meat locker with Merle. Her most beloved job was daycare provider and she loved on those kids like they were her own. She played a special role in the lives of her three grandsons, Nick, Nathan and Noah. She spoiled them with hugs, fresh cookies, warm bath towels, and most importantly, unconditional love.  This special bond was very present throughout her life, but especially during her cancer journey as they each visited and called daily.  She was blessed to add another grandson, Sam and granddaughter, Sophia when Emery joined the family marrying Cathy in 2014. She loved coffee time and visiting with everyone she met.  She talked to her sisters daily/weekly & loved keeping in touch; always ending the conversation with "I love you & take of care yourself". She loved having donuts with great granddaughter Hayley, making noodle soup for her twinkies-Jade & Jace, listening to Oliver ask "are you doing ok?' & having Everly crawling up onto her bed.  She spent the last seven months living with Cathy and Emery after being diagnosed with pancreatic cancer and breaking her hip. She loved finding new recipes and watching TV.

She spent her last 3 1/2 weeks at the Dougherty Hospice House being taken care of by wonderful nurses and care assistants.

She is survived by her daughter, Cathy and husband, Emery;  grandchildren- Nick, Nathan, Noah & wife Brittany, Sam, & Sophia; great grandchildren Hayley, Jade, Jace, Oliver, & Everly, sisters; Marsha Fyler, Mary (Gary) Schmitt, Machele (Eldon) Vogt, and Julee Miller.

She was preceded in death by her husband, Merle, brother, Steve Sparks, and her parents.