Robert Sperling

1932 - 2024

Robert Joseph "Bob" Sperling,

May 25, 1932 - April 21, 2024

GRAND ISLAND -

Robert Joseph "Bob" Sperling, 91, of Grand Island, died Sunday, April 21, 2024, at CHI Health St. Francis in Grand Island. Bob was born May 25, 1932, in Ord, Nebraska, to Leon and Helen (Kaminski) Sperling.

Funeral services will be at 10 AM on Thursday, April 25, 2024 at Messiah Lutheran Church with Pastor Steven Peeler officiating. Burial will follow in Westlawn Memorial Park Cemetery. Visitation will be from 5 to 7 PM on Wednesday, April 24th at Apfel Funeral Home. Memorials are suggested to the family for later designation. Bob grew up on the family farm and graduated from Wolbach High School in 1949. He married Norma J. Liebsack on June 1, 1952, at Pilgrim Congregational Church in Grand Island. After marriage, the couple lived in Grand Island until he was drafted into the U.S. Army. They lived in California and Washington State. They returned to Grand Island and lived on a farm near Wolbach for one year and then returned to Grand Island. Bob was employed by Fairmont Foods, Meadow Gold Dairy, and in car sales. After retiring, he worked for Apfel Funeral Home. Bob was a member of Messiah Lutheran Church and the American Legion and he volunteered at the Salvation Army serving meals. Survivors include: daughter and son-in-law, Nancy J. and William "Bill" Buettner of Grand Island; son, David J. Sperling of Grand Island; grandchildren and great-grandchildren: Dale and Dr. Laura Sweley-Buettner, their daughter, Libby of Grand Island; Joshua Sperling of Grand Island; Heather and Dean Amundson, their children, Elias, Roman, and Harlo of Aurora; Karen and DJ Hurst, and their son Henry of Doniphan. Additional survivors include special friend, Sharolyn Moss of Grand Island; and three sisters: Pat Moss of Wood River, Kay (Milton) Stoppkotte of Chapman, and Lynda (Vern) Johnson of Chappell; and numerous nieces, nephews, and their families. He was preceded in death by his wife, Norma, an infant daughter, Barbara Jean Sperling, his parents, and daughter-in-law, Janice Sperling. Others include brother, Melvin Sperling and sister, Geraldine Sanders and their spouses; brother-in-law, LaVern Moss; and sisters-in-law, Arlene King and Carol Wells and their spouses.