Lulabelle Sperle

LulaBelle “Lou” Sperle, 88, passed away July 11, 2023, surrounded by her children and in the compassionate care of Hospice House of North Idaho, in Hayden, ID. 

Lou was born on the family homestead in Thunder Hawk, South Dakota, on November 28, 1934 to Floyd & Mamie(Texley) Hannah. The youngest of five children, she attended primary school in a rural setting and later advanced to a high school in Lemmon, South Dakota. 

In 1950, Lou was introduced, by her brothers, to a handsome co-worker by the name of LaVerne Sperle. Shortly thereafter, the two began a courtship. Two years later, on June 29, 1952, LaVerne and Lou were married. 1956 brought about hopes and dreams for the young couple. With word of plentiful employment opportunities and welcoming communities to raise a family, LaVerne and Lou headed farther west. Their travels landed them in Coeur d’Alene, Idaho, where their family home was maintained for more than 62 years. 

Lou thrived in her new home, spending the bulk of her time immersed in her duties as a mother to their four children and a homemaker. She assisted with the gardening efforts and mastered her canning skills…crocks full of sweet pickles and jars of pickled beets were loved by all, and will be missed! In addition, there was never a shortage of her baked goods. As their children grew, she also held various odd jobs- a local dry cleaner/laundromat, babysitting, housekeeping and many years serving at the poll booths kept her busy. As the retirement years settled upon her, Lou took pleasure in accompanying her husband and dog, Mitzi, as well as family and friends, on many trips clamming along the west coast. She also looked forward to setting up hunting camps and traveling throughout the Pacific Northwest. She treasured time with her children and their families and was always up for a game of Shang-Hai Rummy or a lunch outing to Red Lobster! 

Lou was preceded in death by her husband of nearly 63 years, LaVerne Sperle; parents, Floyd & Mamie (Texley) Hannah; siblings, Lee Hannah, Erwin Hannah, Florence Lutz and granddaughter, Melanie Ferguson Survivors include; brother, Earl Hannah of FL, children; Tom(Elaine) Sperle of Coeur d’Alene, ID, Floyd(Fran) Sperle of Lebanon, OR, Pam(Dan) Ferguson of Hayden, ID, Gary(Dore) Sperle of Rathdrum, ID, grandchildren; John(Jenny) McDougall-Sperle of Lewiston, ID, Angie(Dave) Morrison of Mountain Home, ID, James(Lindsey) McDougall-Sperle of Lyons, OR, Tyler Ferguson of Post Falls, ID, Blake Ferguson of Coeur d’Alene, ID, Amanda(Kellie) Sperle of Lebanon, OR, David Sperle of Lebanon, OR, Amber(Eric) Worthington of Watertown, SD, Adam Sperle of Post Falls, ID and great grandchildren; Taylor, Wyatt, Mattison, Shelby, Bailey, Miley, Sarah, Aliana, Emma, Zoey and Parker. 

At Lou’s request, there will be no services. The family would like to extend endless appreciation to nurses, James and Stephanie, in addition to the entire medical staff at Hospice House of North Idaho, for the heart-felt and considerate care provided. 

In lieu of flowers, donations can be made in Lou’s memory, to Hospice of North Idaho.