Joan Marie Sperfslage (1935-2021)

SPERFSLAGE, MELCHERT, CHAPMAN

Posted By: Ken Wright (email)
Date: 11/19/2021 at 09:31:33

Joan Marie Sperfslage, 86, of Edgewood, Iowa, passed away suddenly on Wednesday, November 17, 2021, at the Regional Medical Center in Manchester, Iowa. She was born on October 17, 1935, in Ryan, the daughter of William and Margaret (Melchert) Chapman. Joan was raised and educated in the Hopkinton area and was a 1954 graduate of Hopkinton High School. After graduation Joan worked at the Delaware County Memorial Hospital in Manchester and then at Wilsons in Cedar Rapids.

On November 21, 1955, Joan was united in marriage to Francis Sperfslage, at St. Luke Catholic Church in Hopkinton. Five children were born to this union. In 1956 the couple began farming together near Buck Creek. In 1962 they moved to their farm near Edgewood and were there for 25 years. In 1987 the couple retired and moved to town in Edgewood.

Joan was a longtime member of St. Mark Catholic Church in Edgewood. She belonged to the Rosary Altar Society and served as its secretary. Joan worked side by side with Francis on the farm and was a meticulous bookkeeper for the family farms. Joan enjoyed cross stitching, collecting bells, quilting, baking, canning, playing cards, and eating out on Friday nights at area fish fries. She loved her family and especially enjoyed spending time with them.

Survivors include Joan’s husband of nearly 66 years, Francis Sperfslage; her five children, Shirley Ryan of Altoona, Sharon (Brad) Fry of Greeley, Joyce Albert of Urbana, Kenny (Tammy) Sperfslage of Edgewood, and Michael (Dianne) Sperfslage of Edgewood; 13 grandchildren, Kelley (Isaac) Klemish, Tim Ryan, Tonya (Brian) Reicks, Justin (Amy) Fry, Jeremy Albert, Jennifer Albert, Jason Sperfslage, Kyle (Chelsie) Sperfslage, Cory Sperfslage, Lindsay (Derek) Weber, Drew (Jess) Sperfslage, Adam Sperfslage, Angie (Blake) Dougherty; 15 great-grandchildren, with two on the way; her two sisters, Donna Ammeter and RaeAnn (Clarence) Goedken all of Monticello; one brother, Donald (Katie) Chapman of Springville; and her brother-in-law, Joe Haigh of Monticello.

Joan was preceded in death by her parents; her brother, Howard Chapman; her sister, Mary Ellen Haigh; her brother-in-law, Bob Ammeter; her granddaughter, Nicole Sperfslage; and her son-in-law, Steve Albert.

Because of COVID-19 concerns, masks will be required at the church.