Anthony Spalla, Sr.

Anthony M. Spalla Sr., 88, of De Soto, WI, died Wednesday, February 12, 2025, at his home. Memorial services will be held Wednesday, February 19th, at 11:00 AM at Immaculate Conception Catholic Church in Lansing, IA, with Fr. Joseph Sevcik officiating. Friends may greet the family from 10:00 AM until the time of services Wednesday at the church. Inurnment will be at a later date at Gethsemane Cemetery in Lansing. Thornburg-Grau Funeral Home in Lansing is handling arrangements. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be directed to the Immaculate Conception Church boiler fund.

Anthony Mark Spalla, Sr. was born August 27, 1936, in Eastman, WI, one of 13 children to Herbert and Rosalie (DuCharme) Spalla. He attended schools in Eastman until he and his family moved to De Soto, WI, when Tony was 12 years old. Tony thought he was going to become a priest and attended Old Holy Cross Seminary in La Crosse, WI, from where he graduated high school. After a change of heart, Tony went to work for Burlington Northern Railroad. He was drafted into the U.S. Army, was almost sent to the Bay of Pigs in Cuba, and then returned home upon being honorably discharged. Tony went back to work for the railroad, retiring after 35 years.

On April 27, 1974, Anthony married Margaret Arlt at St. Thomas More in La Crosse. They lived and raised their family in Anthony's childhood house in De Soto. As the house was built in the 1800s, Anthony spent a lot time showcasing his carpentry skills through remodeling and adding on over the years. He planted beautiful gardens with roses, dahlias, and calla lilies amongst others, and raised chickens and cats. Being outside all day long was Anthony's favorite thing and if he wasn't in his garden, he could be found squirrel hunting, fishing, or feeding the birds and deer. Anthony was also an active member at De Soto Sacred Heart Catholic Church and was the self-appointed maintenance man who took care of the mowing, landscaping, and repairs, and was the liaison to the Diocese in La Crosse. After Sacred Heart closed, Anthony and Margaret became members of Immaculate Conception Catholic Church in Lansing, IA. He was a Fourth Degree Knight of Columbus of La Crosse, and later Lansing Knight of Columbus. He was a charter president of the De Soto Area Lions Club as well.

Anthony is survived by his wife of almost 51 years, Margaret of De Soto; his children: Rebecca (Dan) Mattson of Lansing and Anthony M. Spalla, Jr. of De Soto; two grandsons: Michael and Gabriel Mattson; four sisters: Veronica, Mary, Stella, and Ann (Doug); and numerous nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by his parents and siblings: Herbert, David, Thomas, Francis, John, Rosalie, Jeaninne, and Denise.

His grandsons will serve as urnbearers.