Watch John's Memorial Mass

John Spalla, age 63, of Mahnomen, MN, passed away Wednesday, July 31, 2024, at the Sanford Medical Center in Fargo, ND.

John Gregory Spalla was born January 27, 1961, to Angie and Ray Spalla in Moorhead, MN. John attended grade school in Moorhead as well as in Waubun, MN. He graduated from Sacred Heart High School in East Grand Forks, MN. After graduation, John attended Vo Tech Community College in Thief River Falls, MN.

John worked in his younger years as a Plumber apprentice, and then became a Master Plumber. He worked for various companies in Minnesota and North Dakota. In John's later years, he worked as a Supervisory Pipe Fitter in the Oil Fields of Western North Dakota.

John was married to the love of his life, Darlene Rivera on September 14, 2013. They lived on a farm outside of Mahnomen. They raised horses and John and Darlene both loved to ride the many horses on their property.

John lived a very storied life, as all his friends and relatives can attest to. He was a wonderful uncle to many nieces and nephews. He was always the "fun" uncle and is remembered fondly by them all.

John had many hobbies. He loved to work with wood, and he made many unique pieces that he proudly shared with family and friends. He also loved working with Diamond Willow and made walking sticks for all his sisters and brother, as well as for extended family.

John was a very talented man. He had an impressive mind and was always working on figuring things out. He loved putting together intricate puzzles; the harder they were the more he enjoyed them. He was a great chess player and was always on the lookout for a challenging match. John also loved to play cribbage and teach his nieces and nephews to play.

John loved to fish and hunt. He loved being on the water and in nature. John also learned how to forge knives. He made many styles, including kitchen knives and fillet knives. His work was quality craftmanship, and the pieces he made were one of a kind.

John and his best friend, Roy Lavoy, made maple syrup together for many years. John enjoyed watching almost any sport on tv with Roy on Sunday afternoons. They had a special bond.

John had a heart of gold and was a generous and genuine person. He will always be remembered in our hearts.

John is survived by his wife, Darlene of Mahnomen; his mother, Angie Gerving of Waubun, and father, Ray Spalla of Plaza, ND; sisters: Cherie (Bob) Cairns of Ava, MO, Colleen Noonan of Waubun; Mary Beth (Tim) Simon of Waubun, and one brother, Jim (Annette) Spalla of Waubun; half-sister, Andrea Swiontek of Sherburne, MN; and nieces and nephews.

He was preceded in death by his special brother-in-law, Mitch Snyder; niece, Kristen Anne Simon and stepfather, Al Gerving.

A Memorial Mass will be held at St. Anne's Catholic Church, Naytahwaush, MN, on Friday, August 9, 2024, at 11:00 a.m.  A Time of Gathering will be held at Anderson Family Funeral Home in Mahnomen, MN, on Thursday, August 8, 2024, from 5:00 – 7:00 p.m. with a Prayer Service at 6:30 p.m. and will continue one hour prior to the Memorial Service at the church.