Earl J. "Dick" Spaulding

Earl J. “Dick” Spaulding, 92, passed away Friday, August 10, 2018 at Golden Age Manor in Amery, WI with loved ones by his side.

He was born May 20, 1926 in St. Paul, MN to Earl M. and Mabel Spaulding. When Earl was ten years old the family moved to their farm in Grantsburg, WI. In May of 1944 he graduated from Grantsburg High School where he was active in varsity basketball and football. On July 1, 1944 he enlisted in the U.S. Navy, serving at Great Lakes Training Center in Chicago, IL. Later he served on a destroyer in the Philippine Islands. He was honorably discharged in July 4, 1946.

On March 15, 1947 he was married to Arlene Wiberg of Siren, WI. They moved to River Falls, WI, where Earl continued his college education. In 1949, they moved to Spring Lake Park, MN where Earl was employed by the Cornelius Co. in Anoka. In 1956 Earl began working for Honeywell, Inc. at the Twin Cities Arsenal in their Metrology Laboratory. There he met Les Becker who became like a brother to him. Earl worked at Honeywell until his accident in November of 1978. In 1962, with their three children Richard, Pamela and David, they moved to Centuria, WI to “live in the country”.

Earl enjoyed deer hunting with his dad and sons in the Grantsburg area. He was an avid reader of books and the Minneapolis Star and Tribune newspaper, especially Sid Hartmas column. He was a fan of the Minnesota Vikings and the Twins. For twenty years he and his wife enjoyed the winter in the warm sunshine of Arizona and the many friends they made there.

Earl was preceded in death by his parents, son, Richard, son-in-law, Jerry Hallberg,  brother-in-law and sister-in-law, Vernon and Dorothy Stream and brother-in-law, Howard Anderson.

Earl is survived by his wife of 71 years, Arlene, daughter, Pamela Hallberg, son, David Spaulding, granddaughter, Jamie Hallberg, “special kid”, Dale (Jan) Brainard, cousins Margaret (Ken) Waldhauser and Marlene (Harlan) Downing, brother-in-law and sister-in-law DuWayne and Rose Wiberg and many other family and friends.

A Celebration of Life for Earl will be held on Saturday, August 18, 2018 at 3:00 P.M. at Holy Trinity United Methodist Church rural Centuria.  Earl’s family will greet visitors at the church beginning at 2:00 P.M.  Pastor Steve Ward will officiate.

Military Honors will be accorded following the service outside the church.  Please join the family for lunch and fellowship following the military honors.

The Kolstad Family Funeral Home of Centuria has been entrusted with arrangements.