Alice Irma Sproule died Aug. 13, 2010, at her home in Lynnwood after a long illness.
Mrs. Sproule was born in Goodrich, Colo., on July 2, 1924, to Carl F. Dierks and Helen E. Wirsing Dierks. She was raised on the family homestead in Pavillion, Wyo., where she was graduated from Morton High School. She attended the University of Wyoming at Laramie.
She married Walter Eugene Sproule on July 14, 1945, in Evanston, Wyo. He then shipped out to the Philippines while she remained in Laramie for his return. They lived in Riverton, Wyo., until July, 1956, when they moved to Hot Springs, S.D. In Hot Springs, Alice was a “stringer reporter” for the Rapid City Daily Journal, worked as a florist and kept their accounts, then worked for Midwest Furniture. She later was the manager for the local Montgomery Wards catalog store and as the manager for the Century House Hotel.
She also served on the Hot Springs school board, serving as president during expanding times. In this office, she had the privilege of handing diplomas to several of her children and their friends, who all thanked “Mom” as she handed them their diplomas. Wherever the family lived, Alice was an active member of their church, singing in the choir, teaching Sunday School, directing the Christmas pageant and heading up the Vacation Bible School; she continued her activities until her health no longer permitted.
Walt and Alice moved to Pullman, Wash., in 1968. Alice was the office manager for the Empire Department Store, a position she held until her health required her to retire. Walt retired from his position at Washington State University in 1985, and they then moved to Greenbank, on beautiful Whidbey Island, where they lived for 17 years. Throughout her life, Alice loved flowers, painting and cooking. She thoroughly enjoyed their years on Whidbey, watching the whales and eagles.
Alice is survived by her children: daughters, Marie Hokanson, Bothell, Jocelyn Carson and husband Dave of Everett, and Rebecca Thomas and husband David of Moses Lake; sons, Leon Sproule and wife Virginia Carter of Chatteroy, Wash., and Stephen Sproule and wife Kay of Roseburg, Ore.; eight grandchildren, Walter Hokanson, of Austin, Texas, Chris Carter and wife Stephanie of Spokane, Terry Sproule and wife Stefanie of Spokane, Mary Carson and fiancé Peter Landeen of Bozeman, Mont., Andrew Carson of Seattle, James Stamper, Petty Officer, 1st Class and wife Brenda, serving in the US Navy in New Orleans, Wendy Dougherty and husband Frank IV of Sutherlin, Ore., and Jason Thomas of Moses Lake; five great-grandchildren, Frank V, Luke Paul, and Violet Emmajean Dougherty, and Christian and Trista Carter. She is also survived by siblings Pauline Welty, Riverton, Wyo.; Larry Dierks, Riverton; Evelyn Lenz, Thermopolis, Wyo.; Dorothy Schmuck, Mackay, Idaho, Myrna Williams, Riverton, and Dean Dierks, Palm Desert, Calif.; and many nieces and nephews. She was preceded in death by her husband, Walter E. Sproule, sister Gladys Corkill, brother Herbert (Bud) Dierks and granddaughter Nova Sproule.
A Memorial Service will be held at Oak Harbor Lutheran Church, Pastor Jay Decker presiding, followed by internment in Sunnyside Cemetery in Coupeville. The family requests that memorials be made to the Alzheimer’s Association (Western Washington Chapter), or the Lutheran church of your choice. The family wishes to thank the staff of Manor Villa for their kindness to our mother. Arrangements and cremation are under the direction of Burley Funeral Chapel.
