Obituary of Marilyn Kay Sperle

Marilyn Kay Sperle was born on March 15,1955, to Michael and Theresa Sperle of Kintyre, North Dakota, the fifth of eight children. Marilyn was an integral part of her loving family and displayed a compassionate heart towards them and her friends alike. She grew up in a small town where she worked with her father on chores of tending cattle and making hay, and displayed skills in the domestic arts, such as sewing within the home. Marilyn excelled in academics and music. She played the clarinet and was selected to the All-State Band. Her love of reading began during those early years. Her siblings recall that she displayed a motherly heart. 

 

After graduating from Napoleon High School in 1973, Marilyn started as a student at Mary College in Bismarck, ND, before transferring to NDSU in Fargo, ND, where she received her B.S. in Pharmacy. She worked as a Registered Pharmacist for 40 years, first as a retail store manager in Portland, OR, then after relocating to the Monterey Peninsula, as a hospital pharmacist at Watsonville Community Hospital, and eventually as an information technology pharmacist at Community Hospital of the Monterey Peninsula where she was employed for over 20 years.  

 

Marilyn was the essence of kindness, compassion, generosity, and gentleness. Her spirit of hospitality reached far and wide. Many benefited from her generosity. She provided a loving abode for her mom, Theresa, for decades. Her easygoing, calm manner and sense of adventure made her the perfect sibling, daughter, aunt, friend, and colleague. Her home was open to all of her family visitors, and she was generous in providing her guests with whatever they needed. Whether it was giving an unexpected gift, offering a ride to the airport, or recommending a good book, Marilyn could always be counted on. She was loyal in her attendance of family weddings and celebrations and enjoyed organizing family reunions and birthday parties. Being in Marilyn’s presence felt comfortable because she exuded a sense of peace and acceptance. Her pleasant and content nature made her easy to be around, for both family and colleagues alike. An avid reader, her home was replete with full bookcases and books on loan from every library in the area. 

 

Upon retirement, Marilyn spent time doing the things she loved: reading and traveling and spending time with her family and friends. She had superb taste in clothing, food, and books, making her a perfect companion for a lunch out, a shopping trip, a vacation, or a good conversation. Throughout her adult life she traveled both domestically and internationally and continued this in her retirement. With an eye for beauty and an appreciation for the world around her, she could equally enjoy a hike in nature, a leisurely stroll around town, or cozying up at home with a good book. She had a penchant for seeing beauty and joy in everyday things.

 

Marilyn passed away unexpectedly, yet peacefully, on May 22, 2023. She leaves behind an adoring family including her mother, Theresa Sperle of Seaside, CA; five siblings: Glenn (Joanne) Sperle of Bethesda, MD; Steve (Maree) Sperle of Dublin, OH; Carleen (Edwin) Matta of Marina, CA; Karen (Bill Farnham) Sperle of Hockessin, DE; Peggy (Ron) Enabnit of Carmichael, CA; her sister-in-law Elvi Sperle of Lewisville, TX; her dearest friend, Therese Beauclair of Monterey; and many nieces, nephews, great-nieces and great-nephews. 

 

Preceding her in death were her infant daughter, Shaheen Rose Massarat (1984), two brothers, George Valentine Sperle (1953) and Curt Patrick Sperle (2022), and her father, Michael Adam Sperle (1972).

 

A funeral mass will be held at 10am on June 19 at San Carlos Cathedral, 500 Church St., Monterey, CA. In lieu of flowers, one may make donations to San Carlos Cathedral, the Food Bank of Monterey, or a charity of your choice.

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