Madison – Richard W. “Dick” Spoerle, age 85, died on Monday, July 23, 2018 at his home in Madison. Richard was born on July 22, 1933 in Montfort, WI the son of Phil and Mae Spoerle. He married Betty Lou Spraggon on Nov. 29, 1958.
After graduating from Montfort High School, Dick worked as an optician at Davis Duehr Eye Clinic in Madison for over 30 years and also moonlighted as a bartender at The Congress Bar. Dick, never one for idol hands, was constantly providing helping ones to those around him. He enjoyed taking trips to the dog track and auctions, playing cards, fishing and road trips to Jacksonville, FL to spend time with family. Dick enjoyed college and pro football seasons and was always betting the odds. After retirement in the mid 1990’s, Dick looked forward to helping Kenny and Rhonda with breakfast at Bennett’s every morning and playing euchre with Gene and friends in the afternoon. He also loved his weekly road trip to NAPA in Dodgeville to visit with family and friends. He was the go to dog sitter, when four-legged friends needed a place to stay.
Dick is survived by three children; Jeff (Janelle) Spoerle of Cottage Grove, Brenda Spoerle of McFarland, and Cindy Spoerle (Joel Carey) of Prairie du Sac, four grandchildren; Shane and Travis Spoerle, Steven Van Gilder, and Crystal (Mike) Wooldridge, two step-grandchildren; Gwen and Jane Carey, three great-grandchildren; Paeton and Conner Wooldridge and Ethan Van Gilder, sisters; Kate Mitchell of Mineral Point and Caroline Wolenec of Fitchburg and son-in-law Matt Van Gilder of Jacksonville, FL, and extended family member Michael Everson.
Dick was preceded in death by his parents, wife Betty Lou, daughter Kathy Van Gilder, brothers; Fritz, Harold, Bud, and Ralph and sister Jean Kelly.
A visitation will be held from 1:00 – 2:00 P.M. on Sunday July 29, 2018 at the Soman-Larson Funeral Home in Montfort followed by a graveside service at the Hillcrest Cemetery in Montfort.
A gathering to celebrate the life of Dick Spoerle will be held from 12:00 noon – 4:00 P.M. on Saturday August 4, 2018 at the Wisconsin Brewing Company in Verona.