David W. Spreier

PAUL – David William Spreier lost his courageous battle with cancer on June 30, 2017, in the arms of his loving wife, Evelyn. David will be remembered for his quick wit and humor, his ability to tease and be teased, his skills as a farmer, his passion for music, his love for his family and his deep and devout faith in God.

David was born in Sugar City, Idaho on August 23, 1927, and became a child of God on September 11, 1927. David lived in Sugar City, Idaho until the age of two, when his parents moved to the Rupert/Burley area. His family moved to Buhl during his senior year of high school and he graduated from Buhl High School. After moving to Buhl, the family became members of the Clover Lutheran Church. After high school graduation, David joined the Navy at the age of 18 and served on the U.S.S. Massachusetts BB59 in the Fire Control Division. After his discharge, David returned to Buhl and went to work at the Pet Milk Company. He would attend basketball games at Buhl High School where he could often be found playing trumpet in the pep band. At the games Evelyn was always performing at halftime with the baton team. They met at one of these games and were married on December 26, 1948.

In 1953, David and Evelyn moved back to Burley to farm 320 acres which they took out of sagebrush. In 1955, the US government had a drawing for land under the Homestead Act for veterans of World War II and the Korean War. With 5,000 names in the barrel from Idaho and surrounding states, David and Evelyns’ names were the first ones drawn. They selected a 100-acre farm north of Rupert. They began building a house on the homestead in 1955 and moved into their new home in 1956. For several years they attended the Burley Lutheran Mission Church until they transferred their membership to the Rupert Trinity Lutheran Church where they have continued to be members.

David was extremely religious. He taught Sunday school, played in the hand chime choir, was Director of the youth choir and was an active member of the voting body of Trinity Lutheran Church. He was also very community and civic minded. He participated in Relay for Life on numerous occasions. He served on the Farm Bureau Board and was named Coors Grower of the Year. He served as Chairman of the Minidoka County Weed Board and the Minidoka County School Board. David was elected Chairman of the PTA of Pioneer School where, through his efforts, 108 out of 110 parents joined the PTA. He also organized a fundraising carnival for the school. In recognition of his work, the school awarded him a lifetime membership in the PTA. David was an active member of a bowling league where he served a term as President. After suffering a back injury, David had to give up his love of bowling. A natural tenor, he joined the Snake River Flats Barbershop Chapter where he sang and was a member for 36 years, was named Barbershopper of the Year in 1976, 1989 and 2007, and served as President in 1977. He was also the tenor in the Barbershop Quartet, “The Dependents.” The quartet performed for numerous public and private events such as Valentine’s Day where they sang for loved ones and presented each one with a rose. The Quartet also sang in the Burley High School’s production of “The Music Man” where the Quartet acted the part of the School Board.

David was preceded in death by his son, Trent Spreier; his three brothers, John, Clifford and Cleo Spreier; his sister, Rose Mauldin; his parents, David and Pauline Spreier; and his granddaughter, Jennifer Judd. He is survived by his loving wife of 68 years, Evelyn; his son, Terry (Jan) Spreier of Rough-n-Ready, California; his daughters, Cindy (Del) Hansen of Burley, Idaho and Odette (Victor) Muskin of New York, New York. He is also survived by his eight grandchildren, Laurie Duff, John David Judd, Megan Meinholz, Katrina Wyant, Nichole Long, Maura Noling, Adam Muskin and Liana Muskin. He was blessed with ten great-grandchildren.

The funeral celebrating the life of David will be held at 11 a.m. Friday, July 7, at Trinity Lutheran Church, 909 8th St., in Rupert, with the Reverend Bryan Lindemood officiating. Burial will be in Paul Cemetery with military rites provided by the Mini-Cassia Veterans Organization.

Friends may call from 6 until 8 p.m. Thursday, July 6, at Rasmussen Funeral Home, 1350 E. 16th St., in Burley, and from 10 until 10:45 a.m. Friday, at the church, preceding the funeral.

David was extremely proud of his service in the Navy; contributions in his memory may be made to Battleship Cove in Massachusetts, where the USS Massachusetts BB59 is docked as part of a Maritime Museum. Donations can be made on line at http://battleshipcove.org/donate-2/ or by mailing the donation to Battleship Cove, 5 Water Street, Fall River, MA 02721.