Desmond "Desi" Sporbert

Desi passed away at Aneta Parkview Health Center surrounded by love. He was born in 1950 in Northampton, MA. At the age of seven, he and several siblings moved in with his aunt and uncle, Gertrude and Raymond Knight in Pittsfield, MA.

Desi’s first job was working at a movie theater, which he later managed. This fostered his lifelong love of movies and television. In addition to movies, Desi enjoyed listening to music and had diverse tastes, ranging from Willie Nelson and The Beatles to contemporary pop.

After graduation, Desi enlisted in the United States Air Force. His first assignment was at Grand Forks Air Force Base, an experience that would change his life. There, Desi met Wanda Elsperger from Cando, ND, and fell in love. He also grew fond of her family and the Midwest. Despite being a city boy, he enjoyed learning about farming, pitching in on the farm, and assisting at the Elsperger’s supper club when possible. Desi and Wanda married in December 1970, immediately moving to Puerto Rico where Desi was assigned. Throughout his Air Force career, Desi was transferred many times across the country and overseas, always returning to Grand Forks whenever possible. In every aspect of his life, Desi’s priority was his wife, children, and later grandchildren, providing them with the family life and opportunities he did not experience growing up.

Desi retired with honors from the Air Force in 1988 as a Senior Master Sergeant, First Sergeant, after twenty years of service defending the country and its constitution. He was a Vietnam-era veteran.

Following retirement, he joked that he had only the weekend off before embarking on a new career at the University of North Dakota, working initially at the Department of Continuing Education at Grand Forks Air Force Base. Later, Desi transferred to the UND Human Resources Department, where he retired after twenty-two years as the Assistant Director of Human Resources.

In retirement, Desi dedicated himself to serving the Thompson community, first as a city council member, then as council president, and finally as mayor, a role he held until his health declined.

Desi was not only a skilled storyteller and engaging conversationalist but also a quick-witted individual whose Irish charm allowed him to make friends wherever he went.

Desi cherished time spent with his family, making his special spaghetti sauce for Sunday dinners, and taking summer trips with his grandchildren. He valued education and sought to expand his knowledge at every opportunity. During his service, he attended evening classes and earned his bachelor’s degree in Human Resources from Park College. Desi possessed a lifelong passion for technology, teaching himself to build computer systems and troubleshoot software and hardware problems for himself and others. At Aneta Parkview, he even programmed his room to control lights, the fan, and TV using voice commands.

Desi is survived by his wife Wanda, their three children and spouses—Shannon and Heath Webber (Thompson, ND), Nicola Sporbert (Thompson, ND), and Derek and Jessica Sporbert (Grand Forks)—and five grandchildren: Logan, Garrett, and Cameron Webber, and Tyson and Hailey Sporbert. He is also survived by his sister Fiona (Tom) Kinnas, brother Kurt (Ginny) Rever, and his extended family, including Diana Elsperger, Bruce Elsperger, Erin and Mel Klingenberg, and numerous nieces and nephews.

Desi now joins his family in Heaven, including Ray and Gert Knight, John F. and Kathleen Elsperger, brothers Gabe, Dermot “Derry”, Lauri, and John H. Elsperger, as well as his favorite cousin, Sandra Petronio.

Recitation of the Holy Rosary will be at 9:45 AM followed by a visitation from 10:00 AM to 11:00 AM and a Mass of Christian Burial at 11:00 AM all on Wednesday, July 31, 2024 at Holy Family Catholic Church of Grand Forks. Interment and military honors will be at Calvary South Cemetery, Grand Forks.