"if a picture paints a thousand words, then why can't i paint you" . . .
BACK STORY ON THIS MEMORIAL METAL SCULPTURE - WHY ?
This memorial is a reflection of the life of Douglas Richard Spoerl. The decision of what to place on Doug's grave was a difficult one and very thought out. It has taken me 2 1/2 years to get it designed and erected. I wanted a visual of who he was and his love of family and farming. Hence, the cornstalks, the metals, the farm scene and the love. Doug was one of the kindest, giving person’s you would ever meet. He was a farmer by trade and loved the land and was a keeper of God’s earth. Forever working on making a living at farming, He had a few side jobs over his lifetime, including the creation and packaging of "romance wood". Forever an optimist, each spring he would say “Jane, this is gonna be our year”. Doug marched to his own drum. He was a visionary and deep thinker. This memorial is made of Coreten steel. When we visited the John Deere Headquarters in Illinois, Doug was infatuated with the architecture and the use of Coreten for the entire outside of the building. Coreten rusts to a certain point (25%) and then doesn’t rust any further. Therefore, it lasts virtually forever. Doug loved to work with metal and his dad taught him to weld, cut and fabricate. Doug, along with his Dad (Paul) passed this craft onto our son Thomas. Thomas has followed in his dad’s footsteps and is now running the family farm. It’s a proud parent moment when your child takes over the family business. Doug did an exceptional job of preparing him for this work. Doug was also a big influence in Nicole’s life, teaching her how to drive tractors, change oil and how to be a team player. He was her biggest fan when it came to her athletic sports and college years. Both kids would call Doug on a daily basis and ask for his advice, input or to just “shoot the breeze. Finally, Doug was my SOULMATE. I never thought of him that way as I always thought “soulmate” sounded a bit kitschy. But since he has passed, I realize he was my husband, my best friend, my business partner and my soulmate. I will love you forever DRS. May you rest in peace.