Spearfish - Joseph A. Sprigler, 81, passed away Wednesday, October 13, 2021 at Spearfish Canyon Healthcare in Spearfish.

Joseph Anthony Sprigler was born Aug 24,1940 in Deadwood, SD. He was the third child born to Bud and Mae Sprigler. He resided on the farm in Whitewood, SD with his five brothers until their house burned down. They then moved to Spearfish and lived in the lower level of the house while Joe and his brothers built the upper level with Bud. As the years went by they added on building the family home. Joe learned so much from this experience, he went on to buy and expand on several homes. Joe was a handyman of such.

He met the love of his life, Joan LaFleur while working at Deckers Grocery in Gillette Wy. He always joked, that he said to himself "I'm gonna marry that pretty girl." They married Sept 8 1961 in Spearfish SD.

They had a family grocery store for a bit, but the illness of the young first born forced a move to St. Pau,l MN for medical care.

They added on to the family several times.  Joe worked as a butcher for many years. He then worked as an MTC bus driver and then as a supervisor over a massive fleet of city buses. Joe Retired from MTC. Moving to Montana then Rapid City and Back to Minnesota to run a 400-apartment complex. He developed a heart valve problem that would later need surgery. He never recovered completely from the first of many surgeries. He then built a lake home and had many happy years and many health problems.

Joe's health pushed Joe and Joan to move to Coon Rapids to reside with their youngest daughter closer to medical care for 8 years. In 2019 Joe and Joan moved back to Spearfish where Joe immediately experienced life threating health issues. Being hospitalized several times and in and out of nursing homes. Joe contracted Covid in August of 2021 and began a long and hard fight that he lost.

Oh, how Joe loved his fishing and he love being in the boat. Camping with his children when they were all little. So much fun playing hide and seek camping on the Mississippi. Joe belonged to the Knights of Columbus at St Columba Catholic Church and was very active in fund raisers with his children in mind. He played Broomball, Volleyball, and umpired for little league for years.

Joe loved nothing more than his wife, children and grandchildren. By his side through all the highs and lows was his love Joan. He would climb a mountain for her.

To their union was born Joseph M. (Steph) Sprigler, Terri (Mark) Weber,  Veronica Sprigler, Kelly (Dennis) Sonneberg,  Marge (Joe) Frid. He was also survived by 18 grandchildren and 12 great grandchildren.

Joseph was preceded in death by his Son, Tommy Sprigler; grandsons, Eric Weber and Josh Sherrard; his Parents, Alfred (Bud) Sprigler and Lucy Mae (McDonnell) Sprigler and Brothers Leo Sprigler Edward Sprigler.

Services will be held at a later date.