Thomas Sperling

Thomas L. (Tom) Sperling, age 74, passed away at his home in Mandan on February 18, 2024, under the care of hospice.

A memorial service for Nancy and Tom will be held at 11:30 AM on Wednesday, May 29, 2024, at Parkway Funeral Service, 2330 Tyler Parkway, Bismarck. Nancy’s ashes will be buried alongside Tom’s in the Lehr City Cemetery at a later date.

The oldest of three sons, Tom was born November 23, 1949, at St. Alexius Hospital, Bismarck, ND to Elmer and Norma (Eisenbeis) Sperling. He grew up in the small town of Lehr, ND, was baptized and confirmed at Grace Lutheran Church, attended grade and high school at Lehr Public School, graduating with the class of 1967. He attended two years of college at UND, Ellendale Branch, prior to transferring to UND Grand Forks. He graduated with a degree in Psychology.

Tom began working for the Soo Line Railroad in the summer of 1972.  He was hired as a brakeman on December 7, 1972, when eligible he became a conductor and held this position until he retired in December of 2009. He was an active member of the United Transportation Union, serving as Local Chairman of the UTU, Soo Line Local 1344 from 1978 to 2009. He also served on the UTU General Committee of Adjustment.

Tom and Nancy Reiland were married October 19, 1977, at Valley City, ND. They resided in Bismarck until they purchased their home in Mandan in 1985 and have resided there ever since. They purchased their “happy place” in Riverdale, ND in 2007. Tom spent most of his retirement years fishing on Lake Sakakawea and enjoying the company of his great neighbors.

He was a member of the Bis-Man Reel & Rec Club, ND Sports Fishing Congress, Great Plains Trout & Salmon Club, Rocky Mountain Elk Foundation and the Bismarck Elks club. Tom was most proud of his 13 years of sobriety, achieved with the help of Alcoholics Anonymous. He made numerous friends along the way and maintained many of those friendships throughout his lifetime.

Tom tended to bring home many dogs throughout the years, but it was always Nancy who ended up caring for them. In return, they were both rewarded with unconditional love and true companionship.

Tom was survived by his wife, Nancy and is survived by his mother, Norma Sperling, Wishek, ND; brother Craig (Lori) Sperling, Bismarck, ND; sisters-in-law Beth Rudolf, Mandan, ND and Elaine Reiland, Hernando, FL; brother-in-law Paul (Tamie) Reiland, Mitchell, SD; four nephews, four nieces, and four great nephews, and four great nieces.

He was proceeded in death by his father, Elmer Sperling; father-in-law, Arnold Reiland; mother-in-law, Joyce Reiland-Schauer; step father-in-law, Melvin Schauer; brother, James Sperling; brothers-in-law John Reiland, Leo Krein and Curt Rudolf; nephews Tyler Sperling and William Reed.

In lieu of flowers the family asks that you consider a donation in Tom’s memory to Alcoholics Anonymous or the American Cancer Society.