Otto Sperle
Otto Sperle, 101, of Aberdeen, SD, died Tuesday, April 14, at Avera St. Luke’s Hospital, Aberdeen.
Otto Sperle was born on October 24, 1924, in McIntosh County, North Dakota, to Gottlob and Christina (Merkle) Sperle. He was raised near Long Lake, South Dakota where he attended school through the 8th grade. He married Alvina Kolb on March 10, 1944, in Leola, South Dakota and began farming northeast of there. They had three children: Sylvia, Arlene, and Gary. They were blessed with 11 grandchildren.
They sold their farm in 1952 and moved to Aberdeen where Otto worked for an elevator company delivering feed. He worked for a year at the school district in Bath, South Dakota as a custodian. He then began working as a custodian at Northern State University in 1957 and continued to work there until 1986.
The couple built three new homes in Aberdeen and the surrounding area. Otto did much of the construction himself. His hobbies included fixing things like bicycles, buying cars, and playing his harmonica. He loved to play Polka music and often played “You Are My Sunshine.” Otto and Alvina loved to go dancing together. Alvina passed away on June 23, 2012.
Otto was a member of Zion Lutheran Church of Aberdeen. He and Alvina were past members of the Eagles in Aberdeen.
The Aberdeen American News presented him with the “Good Neighbor” award in 1997. Otto moved to The Prospect II Apartment Complex in Aberdeen. He later moved to Bethesda Towne Square and recently moved to Bethesda Home of Aberdeen.
Otto celebrated his 100th birthday on October 24, 2024, surrounded by his family and friends as they observed this momentous occasion. The Governor of the State of South Dakota observed October 24, 2024, as “OTTO SPERLE DAY”.
Grateful for having shared Otto’s life are his daughters: Sylvia Peterson and Arlene Wellman; his special friend, Marge Dutenhoeffer; all of his grandchildren, great-grandchildren, and great-great-grandchildren; and many nieces and nephews.
Preceding Otto in death are his parents, Gottlob and Christina Sperle, his wife Alvina Sperle; son Gary Sperle, son-in-law, Emmett Peterson, and thirteen siblings.