Alvin James SPRAU

SPRAU, HALFPAP, ELLIOTT, DRISCOLL, REESE, ROCKWELL, PATTON, MYERS

Posted By: Sarah Thorson Little (email)
Date: 8/5/2009 at 11:27:16

MASON CITY - Alvin James Sprau passed away at the age of 83 on Wednesday (July 29, 2009). He was cared for at the IOOF Home in Mason City, Iowa, with assistance from Hospice of North Iowa.

Alvin was born on Dec. 21, 1925, in Meservey to parents Lydia Carolina (Halfpap) Sprau and John Henry Sprau. He grew up north of Mason City on 300th Street, then referred to as Sugarbeet Row, and lived an adventurous youth with his three brothers and two sisters playing in and around the Winnebago River in the 1920s and during the Great Depression. After his older brothers joined the military during World War II, Alvin convinced his hesitant parents to allow their fourth and youngest son to follow along. He enlisted in the Navy in March 1944 and served most of his two-year tour on Kodiak Island, Alaska, with the "Fighting Seabees" of the 26th Naval Construction Battalion, attaining a final rank of boatswain's mate second class. Later in life, Alvin entertained his children with his colorful Navy stories and would often accept requests to view the contents of his Navy chest, where he stored letters and memorabilia from the war. After his discharge from the service in 1946, Alvin returned home and met Darlene Rose Elliott at the jewelry counter of the S.S. Kresge store in Mason City. They married on Dec. 14, 1946, and had four children: Ginger Rose, Jackie Susan, James Alvin, and Joan Marie.

In the years immediately following the war, Alvin worked for the Chicago Northwestern Railroad and American Crystal Sugar in Mason City. In 1957 he began a long career at Lehigh Portland Cement where he worked first as a head kiln burner and later as a heavy equipment mechanic. Alvin was an active union member and became a respected "old timer" at the plant during his three decades there. When he wasn't working, Al was an avid fisherman, gardener, storyteller, part-time farmer and a competitive card player. He took great pride in his family, his work and his hobbies. To their children and grandchildren, Al and Darlene instilled their values of decency, hard work, and compassion for others. They believed that while opportunity knocks on everyone's door, it often goes unrecognized because it arrives in the form of work and diligence. Like Darlene, Al will be fondly missed and never forgotten. His influence lives on in three generations of the Sprau family.

Alvin was preceded in death by his wife of 57 years, Darlene Rose; his mother and father, Lydia and John; his brothers Warren, Raymond and Robert; and infant daughter Jackie. He is survived by his sisters, Marvel "Tootie" Driscoll (Texas) and Gwendolyn Reese (California), daughter and son-in-law, Ginger and Ed Rockwell (Mason City); son and daughter-in-law, Jim and LeAnne Sprau (Cedar Falls); daughter, Joan Marie (Ames, IA); grandchildren, Ryan Sprau (Louisville, Ky.), Abigail Patton (Mason City), Jennifer Sprau (Mason City), Katy Sprau (Swisher), Allison Myers (Mason City), Jacque Sprau (Ames); and 11 great-grandchildren.

Memorial services for the family will be scheduled at a later date. Video clips of Alvin may be seen at www. youtube.com by typing "spraudog" into the search field. Condolences may be sent to Jim Sprau, 718 W. 9th St., Cedar Falls, IA 50613. The family would like to extend its appreciation to the staffs of the Heritage Care & Rehabilitation Center, the IOOF Home and Hospice of North Iowa in Mason City. Their compassion and caring for Al and the rest of our family will not be forgotten. Fullerton Funeral Home, 641-423-8676.

Mason City Globe Gazette - Iowa
August 5, 2009