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Elise Helene, 97, a resident of Albuquerque for 53 years, passed away Saturday, February 1, 2003. She was preceded in death by her husband, Nathaniel J. Sperling. Her beloved family consists of daughter, Carla Wright, and husband, Jim, Corrales; granddaughter, Corey Helene Clark and husband, Monty, Albuquerque; grandson, Stacey Wright and family, Berkeley, CA; and nephew, Jakob Lain, Santa Fe. Equally special were the Newgarden nieces and nephews who knew her as Aunt Eppie, plus the Trede and Lain families. Born in 1905 in Hohenaspc, Germany, Elsie Bothern and a sister came to the United States in 1921 to live with their sister and brother-in-law in New York City. Her deep pride in becoming an American Citizen sustained itself throughout her lifetime. Marrying Nat Sperling, October 30, 1929, she immersed herself in volunteer services and during WWII especially to Red Cross work. Of equal depth of attention was Elsie's unflinching devotion to her family on both sides of the Atlantic; trans-Atlantic visits before the war to see her mother, 75; care packages after the war; involvement and pride in each and every one of Carla's activities. Elsie and Nat's homes in Harrison, NY, and from 1950, Albuquerque were continual centers for family and extensive friends. Yet Elsie reveled in recalling the idiosyncratic people and life-styles of her childhood Germany, particularly proud of the 1000-year-old church whose church bells she rang every noon. Also notable to Elsie's life was her skill at bridge, and often twice daily devotion to it. However, it was Elsie's boundless vitality and mental sharpness and close friends of every age that illustrate an enduring joie de vivre. She passed away peacefully in her sleep at the Rio Rancho Nursing Home. The family sincerely thanks all the nurses and aides who provided consistently compassionate care. A Remembrance Gathering will be held Sunday, February 9, 2003 at 2:30 p.m. at the Wright's home. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions can be made to the National Parks Conservation Association. French Mortuary 9300 Golf Course Rd. NW
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