Anthony George Spors

Anthony "Tony" George Spors, 76, of Ramsey, Minnesota, passed away peacefully on Monday, July 21, 2025. He grew up on a dairy farm outside of Sparta, WI, son of Ione (Pfaff) and Edwin “Pete” Spors. While farming was never his calling, he had fond childhood memories spent on the farm—including large family gatherings with many cousins.

He attended one of the last remaining one-room schoolhouses in Wisconsin, Brackett School, for elementary school—just a short walk from his family’s farmhouse. After graduating from Sparta High School in 1966, Tony attended the University of Wisconsin-Madison, where he earned a degree in mathematics but also took an English literature course in which he discovered a love of reading great fiction.

In 1976, he married Donna Kjin, who sadly passed away from a brain hemorrhage shortly after the birth of their daughter, Kelly, in 1978. With help from Donna’s parents and siblings, he raised Kelly for several years as a single parent. In 1986, Tony married Deborah Shepherd, and they welcomed their son, Bryan, a few years later. His kids will always remember the time and energy he devoted to them, whether reading bedtime stories, going on bike rides, or supporting their various interests and activities.

After graduating from UW-Madison, Tony worked in the insurance industry, but eventually earned an associate’s degree in computer programming. He worked for UW-Madison’s administrative data processing department in the early 1980s, before moving with his family to Minneapolis and taking a job with Dayton Hudson (later Target Corp.), where he worked for nearly 20 years.

In retirement, Tony enjoyed the simple things. A voracious reader, he was a devoted patron of public libraries and would review one to two books a week on his blog, Tony’s Book World. He also enjoyed playing on a weekly trivia team, doing word and number puzzles, and staying up-to-date on news and current events. He enjoyed spending time with Deborah, his kids, and his grandkids, whether celebrating special occasions or just catching up over a meal.

Tony will be remembered for his kindness and generosity, living by his principles, being humble, and treating people fairly.

He is survived by his wife of nearly 40 years, Deborah Shepherd; his daughter, Kelly Spors (Chris Newmarker); his son, Bryan; his grandchildren, Alex, Gabriel, and Stella Newmarker; his brother, Arlan (Kay) Spors; and many nieces, nephews, and other extended family. He was preceded in death by his first wife, Donna; his parents; his brother, Jonathan; and a nephew, Paul.

A Celebration of Life will be Saturday, November 8th, 2025 from Noon - 3pm at French Park Visitor Center (Oakwood Room), 12605 Rockford Rd, Plymouth, MN 55441.

In lieu of flowers, please consider donating to Reading is Fundamental or another nonprofit that supports literacy.