Raymond J. Sperl Sr.

Raymond J. Sperl Sr., 82, of Turtle Lake, WI passed away on Wednesday, January 22, 2025. He was preceded in death by his significant other of 30 years, Shirley Trimble, his parents, Raymond August Sperl and Florence Angelina Sperl (Nicosia). Ray was born and raised in St. Paul, MN. He attended parochial school at St. Joseph School in West St. Paul, then in high school he attended and graduated from Humboldt High School in 1960, where he participated in football. Even at a young age he was a hard worker, taking on jobs such as a paper route, working as a caddie at Somerset Country Club, and helping his dad with his gas station. After graduation he enlisted in the Marine Corp. of the United States of America and served in Seoul, Korea during the early 1960’s as an Embassy Guard. Upon returning to civilian life, he was married to Geraldine Amey until 1977, gladly helping to raise 6 step kids and also raising two of their own! He has worked many different types of jobs over the years, including, as an MTC bus driver, sewer and water construction laborer, St. Paul Fairground Coliseum worker in the horse barn and driving the zamboni during the winter, and lastly, as a bus driver in Turtle Lake, WI. In 2003, he pursued his dream of owning a farm and purchased acreage near Turtle Lake where he spent many hours on his John Deere tractor ‘doing hay’, cutting wood and he also raised some beef cattle! He is survived by his daughter, Cheryl Sperl and son, Raymond J Sperl Jr (Wendy). He was the eldest of 4 siblings, of which, he is survived by Joe Sperl, Jim Sperl (Harriet), and Carolyn Meyer (William). He was a proud grandfather of 4 who described him as a genuine, brave, kind hearted, fun loving, thoughtful, resilient, brawny, and a tough as nails Grandpa! He will be remembered as a good friend to many, a man with a strong work ethic, someone who took responsibility for the care of others, and as a loving Dad and Grandfather. 

A memorial service will be held at 11:00 a.m., Tuesday, February 18, 2025 at Mattson Funeral Home, 343 North Shore Drive, Forest Lake. The family will greet friends one hour prior to the service at the funeral home. Interment at Fort Snelling National Cemetery.