Thomas Sprute

Thomas T. Sprute was born July 31, 1940, in Kueterville, Idaho to Cottonwood farmers, Louis and Alice Sprute. He died August 22, 2022, at Tendercare Home in Clarkston at the age of 82.

Tom was known to friends, neighbors, and family as a kind and generous person. He loved conversation, and even into his last months he was great fun to talk to, and always exuded a positive spirit. 

Tom grew up on the family farm, and graduated from St. Gertrude’s Academy in Cottonwood. He attended St. Martin’s University (Olympia, WA), and served in the Army at Fort Lewis, and then the Army Idaho National Guard until an Honorable Discharge in 1973. He and his wife Janet were married in 1964, and lived their entire adult lives in Lewiston, where Tom worked at Potlatch Corporation. They designed and built their dream home in 1980, and lived there for 40 years.

Tom was an active member of the Lewiston Elks, and enjoyed skeet shooting and woodworking in his spare time. He and Janet were animal lovers, and had a number of pets throughout the years - cats, dogs, and rabbits. 

Tom is survived by sister-in-law Rita Sprenger of Beaverton, OR, nieces Shannon Spicciati (Alan) of Auburn, WA, and Kelli Shuster (Dave) of Portland, OR; great-nephews Andrew & Sam Spicciati, and Nate & Ian Shuster, and a number of cousins in the Cottonwood area. He was preceded in death by his wife, Janet, brother, Bill, and parents. 

Family members wish to thank the staff at Tendercare for their support and care for Tom over the last 2.5 years. Special thanks also to Betty Fuller, as well as the friends and neighbors who have visited Tom faithfully. An announcement about a memorial service will be forthcoming.

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