It is with sadness we announce the passing of our loving husband, father, grandfather and friend, Ade. He will be sadly missed for his kindness, loving and gentle ways and generosity. He had a way of softening the hard days and making good ones even brighter. His legacy will live on in the lives of those he touched.
Adryn Lowell Sponberg was born August 4, 1936, in New Richland, MN, the son of Herbert and Lucille Sponberg. He was baptized and confirmed his faith at Vista Lutheran Church, New Richland, MN. He received his early education in the New Richland, MN and Tucson, AZ areas, and graduated from New Richland High School in 1954. He received his undergraduate degree from Gustavus Adolphus College, St. Peter, MN in 1958, his Master's Degree from Mankato State University, Mankato, MN in 1965, and his Doctorate Degree from the University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI in 1968.
Ade was united in marriage to Donna Elvestrom on April 25, 1958. They located in St. James, MN where Ade accepted his first teaching and coaching assignments. Two children, Steve and Kari Jo, were born to this union while living in St. James. The family moved to St. Peter, MN in 1961 where Ade taught and coached at their alma mater, Gustavus Adolphus College. After receiving his Master's Degree the family moved to Ann Arbor, MI in 1965 where he coached football and received his Doctorate in Athletic Administration at the University of Michigan. In 1968 the family moved to Sioux Falls, SD where Ade assumed duties as Chairman of the Physical Education Department and Athletic Director of Augustana College. In 1973 they relocated to Fargo, ND where he served as Division Director of Health, Physical Education and Recreation and Director of Athletics at North Dakota State University. In 1987 Ade and Donna moved to Madison, WI where he accepted the position of Director of Athletics at the University of Wisconsin, Madison. While there he also served on the NCAA Rules Committee. When Ade accepted the General Agent's role for Lutheran Brotherhood in 1993, they moved to Mason City, IA.
Ade retired in 1998 and he and Donna moved to Tucson, AZ, spending the summer months at their lake home close to Detroit Lakes, MN. They moved back to Fargo in 2013 and enjoyed living close to family and friends.
Ade was gifted with many talents, always keeping things in perspective and maintaining a right balance. He was a man of stature and grace, admired for his intelligence, principles, dignity, discipline, and integrity. His leadership was always levelheaded and unhysterical.
Ade received many honors during his lifetime, among them two prestigious Gustavus Adolphus awards. He was inducted into the Gustavus Adolphus Athletic Hall of Fame in 1985 and was the recipient of the Distinguished Alumni Citation in Education in 1988. He served on the National Collegiate Athletic Association's Council during his tenure in athletics. He was inducted into North Dakota State University's Athletic Hall of Fame in 1994.
Being an enthusiastic sportsman, he was an interested spectator and spirited participant in many sporting events. Golf became a favorite hobby after his retirement. Ade loved the outdoors and enjoyed spending time at the family cottage he and son, Steve built. Ade's greatest commitments were to his creator, his family and his friends... all of whom were witness to the dedication and love he shared and taught by example. He will be sadly missed and lovingly remembered by everyone who knew him.
Remembering him is easy; we do it every day. Missing him is heartache that will never go away. Comforting each other and grateful for having shared his life are his wife, Donna, son Steve and daughter-in-law Kellie, and daughter Kari Jo and son-in-law Kevin Hanson; grandchildren, Alison Hanson, Kaia (Craig) Ehrmantraut, Sierra (Justin) Speed, Braden Sponberg, Hayley Holcomb and Ben Holcomb; four great grandchildren, Colbie, Lincoln, Audyn and Maddox; sister, Jana Lee Sponberg, brother-in-law, Don (Joyce) Elvestrom and many extended family and friends. He was preceded in death by his parents, parents-in-law, a brother and sister-in-law, a sister and brother-in-law.
A Celebration of Life honoring Ade will be held Friday, August 20, 2021 at 11 a.m. with a visitation one hour prior at Messiah Lutheran Church in Fargo, ND. A Reception will follow at the NDSU Alumni Center. The service may be viewed via Livestream through the Hanson-Runsvold website.
In the interest of community health and safety, the family respectfully requires attendees be vaccinated. Masks will be available and are encouraged. Given the fluid Covid situation, the family will continue to monitor and adjust plans as necessary. Check the Hanson-Runsvold website for updates.
In lieu of flowers, those planning an expression of sympathy may wish to consider memorials to the Ade Sponberg Endowment (https://www.ndsufoundation.com/ade-sponberg-scholarship-endowment) or the Alzheimer's Association.
To send flowers or a memorial gift to the family of Adryn "Ade" Sponberg please visit our Sympathy Store online at: https://www.hansonrunsvold.com/obituaries/Adryn-Ade-Sponberg/#!/Obituary
Ade's service will be livestreamed here: https://vimeo.com/583934702