Kristi Sprung

Kristi (Johnson) Sprung, 47 of Breckenridge, MN, passed away Tuesday, October 23, 2018 at Sanford Medical Center, Mayville, ND.  Visitation will be on Sunday, October 28, from 5:00 pm to 7:00 pm at Vertin-Munson Funeral Home in Wahpeton, ND.  The funeral service will be Monday, October 29 at 2:00 pm, with visitation one hour prior to service, at Eagle Valley Evangelical Free Church in Christine, ND, with Pastor Jeff Scheer officiating.  Burial will be at Eagle Valley Cemetery in Christine. Arrangements are entrusted to Vertin-Munson Funeral Home, Wahpeton.

Kristi (Johnson) Sprung

If Kristi Sprung knew you, she probably liked you. And if she liked you, it was certain that she loved you. And told you so. Constantly. On the phone. Several times a day.

She was open-minded, open-hearted, and always – always – had an open door to friends and family who needed someone to talk to, or a place to stay while they got back on their feet, or someone to show them that they were loved, accepted and cherished for who they were, no strings attached.

She was everyone’s therapist, whether they needed one or not. She did not sugarcoat things. She offered her opinion (you’re being a dumbass) or her advice (you should stop being a dumbass), but never her judgment.

Kristi spent most of her years as a stay-at-home mom, helping raise three daughters and a son. She had a knack for turning everyday outings (like trips to the store) into adventures and simple things (like homemade pajama pants) into treasures.

Every kid was her kid. Nieces, nephews, neighbors, friends. Later in life, she found work caring for children with disabilities. It was more than just a job to Kristi, it was a passion and joy. She happily drove an hour and a half in a blizzard to visit a child in the hospital and bring his mother clean clothes and warm words.

She was fun. And funny. And she was the first person to tell – or laugh at – a dirty joke. She was genuine and didn’t have a pretentious bone in her body.

She loved the lake. And fishing. And gardening. And birdwatching. And life.

While a glioblastoma destroyed Kristi’s body, it never broke her spirit, never erased the smile that she showed every day even though she endured this terrible illness.

Kristi died Tuesday, Oct. 23, surrounded by her children. She was 47.

She was born Aug. 1, 1971 in Breckenridge, Minn. She graduated from Breckenridge High School.

She was preceded in death by her father, Gary Johnson. She is survived by her mother, Janis Johnson, Breckenridge; three daughters, Alexandra Sprung-Banu (Shakir), Fargo; Miranda Sprung, West Fargo; Cassandra Linder (Donavan), Mayville, N.D.; a son, Garrett Heard, Breckenridge; one grandchild, Keegan Sprung; three brothers, two sisters and many nieces and nephews.

Obit submitted by the family.

Kristi's Memorial Folder