Rod Sperl

Rod L. Sperl was born in Gregory, South Dakota on October 28, 1956 to Robert and Lyla (LaFave) Sperl.  He grew up on a farm northeast of Gregory and attended Wiodneck Rural School until 1968 when the school closed. He then attended Gregory Public Schools, graduating in 1974.  He married Cheryl Brozik on August 1, 1981, at St. Joseph's Catholic Church, in Gregory, SD, where they raised their two children, Ben and Samantha.  Throughout his early years he worked as a ranch hand, bartender, journeyman electrician on power plants, worked at a meat packing plant, as a beekeeper and also for Bartling Redi-Mix.  In 1988 he was hired by Opperman Sand & Gravel and S&O Hay Company. He worked for these two companies until 2004. Rod was then hired by Rosebud Farmers Union Co-op in 2005. He was working for the local cooperative at the time of his death.  Rod is survived by his father, Robert Sr. of Burke; wife, Cheryl, and their two children, Ben (Erica) and Samantha and special friend Caleb DuFrane, all of Gregory; two grandchildren, Raegan and Rylie Sperl; brother, Robert Jr. (Penny) of Burke; sisters, Sue Ames of Spearfish and Peg (Doug) Roggow of Gregory; mother-in-law, Mildred Brozik of Winner; two brothers-in-law, Lon (Sue) Brozik of Gregory and Dave (Bernie) Brozik of Winner; sister-in-law, Kathy (Jeff) Askew of Pierre; and by many aunts, uncles, nieces, nephews, relatives and friends.  He was preceded in death by his mother, Lyla, his grandparents, his father-in-law, Ben Brozik, and one nephew, Ryan Ames. * * * * * * * * * Funeral services for Rod Sperl, 55, of Gregory, SD were held Saturday, March 10, 2012 at 10 a.m. at the Berean Fundamental Church in Gregory with Pastor Scott McClellen officiating. A prayer service was held Friday evening at 7 p.m. at Kotrba-Smith Funeral Home in Gregory. Music was provided by Kati Champlin, vocalist, singing "Amazing Grace" and by a recorded selection "All That I Own" by Bread. Machelle Seeley and Jackie Story were in charge of registration. Flower attendants were Marlys Bokker and Sherrie Hickey. Casket bearers were Cal Messick, Randy Lane, Cal Peck, Ray Bokker, Chad Peck, and Cody Vosika. Honorary Pallbearers were all the CENEX employees. Interment was in the Bohemian National Cemetery, Gregory, SD.