Vaun Webster Sprecher

Vaun Webster Sprecher of Waukee, Iowa (formerly of Urbandale) sat down for a final nap in his favorite recliner on January 5, 2026, where he contentedly and peacefully left this world at the age of 97.

Born in Sauk County, Wisconsin to Web and Ruth Sprecher on September 12, 1928, Vaun grew up on the family farm in Witwen, WI. Always smart and studious, he graduated valedictorian at Prairie du Sac High School before earning a Master of Business Administration degree from the University of Wisconsin-Madison. In 1951, after completing his undergrad, he met and married Marian Sund of Madison. In Vaun’s words, he hit the jackpot with her as she had many admirers. Along the way to finishing his education and starting a family with Marian, he took a detour when drafted to serve in the Korean War.

At Camp McCoy in Wisconsin, Vaun was trained in artillery triangulation due to his aptitude in math; however, at the last minute he was reassigned to be a rifleman on the frontline due to his excellent marksmanship, a skill honed growing up on a farm. Upon arrival in Korea, Vaun was reassigned yet again at the last minute, this time due to his proficiency with a typewriter (a skill he acquired at UW) and prowess on the softball field. An officer in Seoul in need of a typist and a player for his unit’s softball team saw both skills listed on Vaun’s enlistment papers and selected him as his new clerk, sparing Vaun from combat in a fortunate turn of events.

Upon honorable discharge from the army, Vaun used the GI bill to return to UW for his graduate degree. In 1955, Vaun and Marian moved to Des Moines for a job with Central Life Assurance, where he literally and figuratively worked his way up from the ground floor. He began his 33-year career working in the basement among the file cabinets and ended as Vice President - Underwriting with an office on a top floor. He retired from Central Life in 1988 at age 60, but it wasn’t in Vaun’s nature to sit around the house, and Marian definitely wasn’t ready for that. Luckily for all concerned parties, Vaun commenced a second career of 30 years at his son Mike’s then fledgling business, the Sands Volleyball Club. Vaun served as bookkeeper, groundskeeper, handyman, and chief tinkerer. At the Sands, Vaun enjoyed working outdoors and filling his workday as he saw fit, and Mike greatly appreciated the helping hand his father provided. But finally, at the age of 90, Vaun was ready to fully retire.

Vaun’s helping hand wasn't limited to the Sands, as he also gladly lent a hand to many others, sometimes whether they asked for it or not! For family, friends, or a neighbor in need of a repair or a new fence, Vaun was there to help. His church, Sertoma (he was a lifetime member), and numerous charities benefited from his largesse as he devoted time, talent, and financial support over the years. Raised in a household of strong faith and the values of giving back and taking care of those in need, he took those things to heart. In turn, he passed the ethic of service on to his children and grandchildren – not by telling, not by preaching, but by leading by example.

Vaun lived an active and inquisitive life and instilled those values, too. He routinely announced to his grandchildren he was taking them somewhere and they were off on an adventure. It could be as grand as a trip to the turtle refuge on South Padre Island where Vaun and Marian spent many winters, or as simple as a trek to the neighborhood Dahl’s grocery store. When Vaun wasn’t on the go, you’d find him reading (or snoozing) in his recliner in the sunroom at their house of 50 years on Willard Circle. Vaun enjoyed a wide variety of periodicals – from National Geographic to Time to Portals of Prayer – as he continued to acquire knowledge into his golden years.

As much as Vaun enjoyed the vast world around him, he was most in his element in the little world he built in his basement. He had a desk surrounded by keepsakes, family photos, and artwork Marian rejected upstairs. His basement workroom was a work of art in and of itself – anything one might ever need was squirreled away in a neatly labeled container or hanging from the wall or ceiling. He’d be in the basement for hours on end humming his little tune, happily tinkering among his mosaic of mementos and tapestry of tools.

While Vaun had his own little world, he impacted the worlds of many others. Family, friends, coworkers, caregivers, and even the clerks at Dahl’s who were on a first name basis were all touched by the altruistic, quirky, and unique person Vaun was. Those in his orbit appreciated his thoughtful and caring nature and his dry sense of humor, always delivered with a smirk. His world was filled with love for his family and gratitude for all he had been given. Those around him are grateful for all he gave us and the time we got to spend with him. Our worlds are now a little dimmer with his loss, but Vaun left us with a legacy of love and caring for one another in a world in need of that.

Vaun is survived by his children, Michael (Mary) Sprecher and Tracie (Steve Schmidt) Vranich; grandchildren, Jacob (Larissa Ferfoglia), Ashley, and Jenny Sprecher, and John, Gage, and Emma Vranich; brothers-in-law, Phil (Flora) Sprecher and Dale (Cynthia) Sprecher; as well as numerous nieces and nephews.

He was preceded in death by his wife of 72 years Marian (Sund); parents, Webster and Ruth (Reichert) Sprecher; sisters, Marceil Tooley and Eileen Luetscher; brother-in-law, Lowell Tooley; sisters-in-law, Ruth Rowinski and Delores Sund; and many dear friends.

Services will be held Friday, February 6, 2026, at Faith Lutheran Church in Clive, Iowa. Visitation will be from 9:30 to 10:45 a.m. Funeral service will begin at 11:00 a.m. with a luncheon to follow. Burial will take place at McDivitt Cemetery at a later date. For those who cannot attend the service in person, it will be livestreamed through a link found below.

Memorial contributions in honor of Vaun can be made to Doctors Without Borders or Iowa Natural Heritage Foundation.

Condolences may be expressed at www.HamiltonsFuneralHome.com.

Print