Ellen Ora Punky Sparks, 72, died March 22, 2011 at her home, Great Bend, Kansas. She was born February 10, 1939 at Great Bend, the daughter of Ora and Opal (Griffin) Ford. She married Robert Sparks December 20, 1959 at Great Bend. A Great Bend resident since 1945, coming from Wichita, she was a realtor for Coldwell Banker Sell Real Estate and previously for Keenan Real Estate. Mrs. Sparks was a member of the National, Kansas, and Great Bend Board of Realtors. She was treasurer for the Kansas State Board of Realtors and chair of the ethics committee. 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. Survivors include her husband, Robert Sparks, of the home; one son, Danny Sparks and wife Michelle, Norman, Oklahoma; one daughter, Sherri Clark and husband Darrell, Kearney, Missouri; three brothers: Marvin Ford and wife Dee, Great Bend; Arlin Bud Ford and wife Joan, Boulder, Colorado; and Rocky Ford, Great Bend; two grandchildren: Kayla Sparks, Arkansas City, Kansas; and Mindy Steinert, Kearney, Missouri; and eleven nieces and nephews. Funeral services will be at 10:00 a.m., Friday, March 25, 2011 at Grace Community Church with Pastor Roy Savage officiating. Burial will be in Great Bend Cemetery. Friends may call from 1:00 to 9:00 p.m., with the family receiving friends from 6:00 to 8:00 p.m., Thursday, March 24, 2011 at Bryant Funeral Home. In lieu of flowers, the family requests memorial contributions to Golden Belt Humane Society, in care of the funeral home.