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- [S927] Obituary.
NAPOLEON — Peter Paul Sperle, 85, Napoleon, died Feb. 11, 2016, at the Napoleon Care Center. Services will be held at 10:30 a.m. Saturday, Feb. 13, at St. Philip Neri Catholic Church, Napoleon. Burial will be at St. Philip Neri Catholic Cemetery, Napoleon.
Visitation will be held from 2 to 7 p.m. today, with a prayer service at 7 p.m., at Dahlstrom Funeral Home, Napoleon.
Peter was born to John and Margaret (Becker) Sperle on April 12, 1930, at the family farm near St. Anthony, southwest of Napoleon. He was baptized and confirmed at St. Anthony Catholic Church and attended the nearby country school until eighth grade. His family then moved to a farmstead about four miles east of Napoleon. After graduating from Napoleon High School in 1948, Pete attended Valley City Normal School, before teaching for two years in country schools near Napoleon. In 1948, Pete began farming and milking at the Sperle family farmstead with his brother Anton “Tony.”
On Aug. 27, 1955, he married his lifelong partner Elizabeth “Betty” Marquart. In 1956, the couple moved to their farm northwest of Napoleon overlooking Lake McKenna. There, Pete and Betty raised wheat and other small grains, corn, sunflowers, dairy cattle, beef cattle and chickens — along with 12 children.
Pete was very active in the church and community. He was a lector at St. Philip Neri for many years as well as being an active member of the Knights of Columbus, the parish council, the church choir and bible study groups. He served for many years on both Kroeber and Bryant Township boards, the Napoleon Care Center board of directors, and as president of Napoleon Schools PTA.
Pete was very interested in family genealogy and was a member of the Germans from Russia Society, attending conventions and researching his family’s history. He was an avid reader of books and magazines on a variety of topics, especially history, science and religion. Well into his later years, he continued to volunteer at the Logan County Historical Society.
Other hobbies included fishing, bowling and gardening. Pete’s kids and grandkids will remember him as a life-long role model and a man of tremendous faith, patience and very few words. When he did speak, it was with purpose, caring and wit. His unwavering Christian faith was on display through the way he lived each day of his life. No matter how busy he was, when his children climbed on his lap, he made time to read a favorite Dr. Seuss book, help with a Tinkertoy project, or provide an imitation of a favorite cartoon character. When family or friends visited there was time for coffee, cards, or trivia games. When times got hard, his only complaint would be “aye-yai-yai.” His quick wit would come through with unexpected one-liners such as when sharing a photo of the look-alike Sperle brothers. When asked which one he was, Pete replied, “The good looking one.”
Peter is survived by his wife, Betty; 12 of his children, Paula, Napoleon, Patricia, Buffalo, N.Y., Gregory (Michele), Park Rapids, Minn., Mary (Jaime) Meyer, Bismarck, David (Darika), Wichita, Kan., Duane (Teresa), Hawarden, Iowa, Cindy (Mike) Sperle-Gee, Jamestown, Terri, Sioux Falls, S.D., Lisa (Greg) Schmitz, Dilworth, Minn., Michelle (Mel) Sperle-Berg, Howard Lake, Minn., Dennis (Sharleen), Bemidji, Minn., and Rebecca (Chris) McKinney, Benton, Ark.; one sister, Ann (Gene) Cederberg, Casselton; two brothers, Anton (Christine Gross), Bismarck, and Richard (Harriet), Mendota Heights, Minn.; and two other sisters-in-law, Carolyn, Napoleon, and Theresa, Monterey, Calif. He is also survived by 29 grandchildren and five great-grandchildren.
Peter was preceded in death by his parents, John and Margaret; seven brothers; one sister; and one infant son.
In lieu of flowers, the family requests those who knew Peter consider a donation to an Alzheimer’s research/support organization or the charity of your choice.
Share memories and sign the online guest book at www.dahlstromfuneralservice.com.
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1930 - 2016 (85 years)