Francis Arthur Sperfslage of Edgewood

Francis Arthur Sperfslage, 93, of Edgewood, Iowa, passed away on Friday, July 31, 2026, at Edgewood Convalescent Home in Edgewood. He was born on February 10, 1933, at home on the farm near Petersburg, the third oldest child of Frank and Magdaline (Eike) Sperfslage. Francis was raised and educated in the Earlville area. He served honorably in the United States Army from 1952-1954 and was stationed in Germany.

On November 21, 1955, Francis was united in marriage to Joan Marie Chapman, at St. Luke Catholic Church in Hopkinton. Five children were born to this union. In 1956 the couple began farming together near Buck Creek. In 1962 they moved to their farm near Edgewood and were there for 25 years. In 1987 the couple retired and moved to town in Edgewood. Francis sold DeKalb seed corn for many years and started a line of breeding bulls.

Francis was a longtime member of St. Mark Catholic Church in Edgewood, serving on St. Marks Parish Council for several terms, “under two different priests.” He was a member of Farm Bureau and on the board of Swiss Valley farms for several years. Francis loved to go hunting especially turkey and deer. He also collected caps and was the proud owner of over 250 caps. Francis loved to fish and his favorite places were on the Mississippi River and the Canadian waters Francis loved to collect antiques and loved anything old. Most of all Francis enjoyed his time spent with his family and friends.

Survivors include his five children, Shirley Ryan of Altoona, Sharon (Brad) Fry of Greeley, Joyce Albert of Urbana, Kenny (Tammy) Sperfslage of Edgewood, and Michael (Dianne) Sperfslage of Edgewood; 13 grandchildren, Kelley (Isaac) Klemish, Tim Ryan, Tonya (Brian) Reicks, Justin (Amy) Fry, Jeremy Albert, Jennifer Albert, Jason Sperfslage, Kyle (Chelsie) Sperfslage, Cory Sperfslage, Lindsay (Derek) Weber, Drew (Jess) Sperfslage, Adam (Nathan) Wagner, Angie (Blake) Dougherty; 20 great-grandchildren; five great great-grandchildren; siblings, Eugene (Janet) Sperfslage, Viola Bentley, Tom (Lou) Sperfslage; sisters-in-law, Lucy Sperfslge, Alice Sperfslage, and Sharron Sperfslage; and many nieces and nephews.

Francis was preceded in death by his parents; his wife of almost 66 years, Joan Sperfslage in 2021; granddaughter, Nicole Sperfslage; son-in-law, Steve Albert; siblings, Leroy Sperfslage, Richard (Ethel) Sperfslage, Harold (Iva) Sperfslage, James Sperfslage, Dorothy Ann (Ronald) Hilby, Lawrence “Larry” Sperfslage, and Norbert Sperfslage; and brother-in-law Clifford Bentley.

The family would like to thank the Edgewood Convalescent Home for their wonderful care.

The Mass of Christian Burial will be livestreamed at http://vibrantcatholic.com

Online condolences may be sent to www.leonard-mullerfh.com.

Mass of Christian Burial: 11:30 a.m., Wednesday, August 5, 2026, at St. Mark Catholic Church in Edgewood, Iowa, with Rev. Henry Huber presiding.

Visitation: 8:00 a.m. to 11:00 a.m., Wednesday, August 5, 2026, at St. Mark Catholic Church in Edgewood, Iowa.

Interment with Military Honors: St. Mark Catholic Cemetery, Edgewood, Iowa