Dorothy Ann Sperling

Dorothy Ann (Bateman) Sperling, 90, a resident of Fergus Falls, passed away Saturday, February 24, 2018, at Pioneer Care in Fergus Falls.

She was born on September 13, 1927, in Chicago, IL, to Clarence V. and Harriet L. (Bentzin) Bateman. Dorothy grew up in Wahpeton, ND, where she became a talented pianist, played clarinet and sang in a beautiful contralto voice. Music remained an important part of her life. She could still sing parts of the Messiah until very recently.

While in high school, she fell deeply in love and became engaged to a strong, athletic, and kind young Navy Boatswain named Scotty. Her world fell apart when he was killed while in the ammunition room of the USS Bismarck Sea when it was struck by two kamikazes. The loss was so great, the hurt never went away.

However, while they were both attending UND, she met Donald Sperling, who was also an accomplished musician - a talented organist, pianist, and trombonist who sang tenor. They believed they could make beautiful music together and were married in 1949.

They moved to Riverdale, ND where Dorothy taught piano lessons and Don worked with the Army Corps of Engineers. Within a couple years, Douglas was born, followed by Diana, David, and Daniel. Notice the first initial of each first name. When Don built a Chris Craft cabin cruiser to enjoy with his family on the then Garrison Reservoir, it was named Melo Dee to keep with the naming convention and their common love of music. The boat is still a family heirloom and resides with David in Big Lake, MN.

After their children were born, the family moved to Wahpeton to be closer to her parents, Dr. Clarence and Hattie Bateman. Don began a long career teaching civil engineering at the science school and Dorothy began working with the special education program at the Fergus Falls High School. Before long she felt drawn to the field of psychology and received her MS in Psychology at NDSU. The family moved to Fergus Falls, and Dorothy accepted a position as clinical psychologist at the Fergus Falls State Hospital where she worked over 30 years. The people who worked there and the patients she worked with were an extremely important part of her life. After she retired, still wanting to make a difference, she was instrumental in forming the Stephen Ministry at Federated Church to help people through difficult periods in their lives.

Dorothy and Don divorced in 1972. Dorothy and Richard (Dick) Quaal, a fellow psychologist at the State Hospital, were married in 1977.

Donald was laid to rest in 1999. Her beloved son, Daniel, passed on in 2010. Dorothy is succeeded by Doug and Marsha Sperling and their four children, Thaddeus, Noah, Tyson, and Katelyn; Bruce and Diana Richards; David and Carol Sperling and their three children, Shawn, Eric, and Hannah; and daughter-in-law, Paula Frazee-Sperling and her three children, Luke, Ryan and Laura. Dick Quaal still resides in Florida where they owned a home. Although they divorced twelve years ago, Dorothy loved and kept in touch for many years with his seven children, Sheri Smith, Richard Jr., Debra Nelson, Natalie Carlson, Jim Quaal, Michelle Quaal, and Jackie Brown.

Memorials are preferred to the Pastoral Care Ministries of Federated Church in Fergus Falls. Condolences to the family can be sent to dianajoyrichards@msn.com or PO Box 179, Sedalia, CO 80135.

Visitation: 5-7 p.m. Wednesday, February 28, 2018, at the Olson Funeral Home in Fergus Falls, and resumes one hour prior to the service at the church
Service: 1 p.m. Thursday, March, 1, 2018, at Federated Church in Fergus Falls, MN
Clergy: Reverend Doug Dent and Reverend Dr. C. Edward Morgan
Interment: Oak Grove Cemetery, Fergus Falls, MN
Arrangements are provided by the Olson Funeral Home in Fergus Falls
Online condolences may be sent to www.OlsonFuneralHome.com