Joann Ruth Martin Sprinkle

The morning of May 19, 2021, was a sad day for the Roy Sprinkle family. Their beloved, wife, mother and grandmother, and great-grandmother, Joann Ruth Sprinkle, peacefully departed this world, to enter her eternal rest in the Father's house, following a short illness.

She was born December 18, 1935, in Spokane, Washington, to Glenn and Ruth Martin, where she joined a 2-year-old brother. The Martin family owned and operated The Ranch Club and Golf Course in Priest River, Idaho.

Joann was a very gracious and outgoing person. She loved to meet people, which made her a natural waitress in the family business where she worked, along with her brother, Junior Martin, and her future husband, Roy Sprinkle. During those years as a waitress, she never had a complaint. She just knew how to serve people.

After graduation from Priest River High School, she enrolled in Gonzaga University where she attended for two years. During this time, she married the love of her life Roy Sprinkle on June 16, 1954. She worked at couple of other jobs until the family moved to Alaska in 1964 following the earthquake. After seeing results of the quake, she was ready to leave and go back to Idaho. She went to work for Northwest Airlines, which later was merged with Delta Airlines. She retired from Northwest Airlines after 20 years employment. 

To this marriage was born a son, Robert G., and three daughters, Deborah D., Gail R., and Cheryl Dawn Sprinkle. 

She is survived by her husband, Roy of 66 years; son, Robert G. Sprinkle; and daughter, Gail and husband Mike Craig. Sarah Sprinkle, who is the daughter of Cheryl, Roy and Joann’s deceased daughter, was adopted by Roy and Joann after her mother's death. All live in Anchorage, Alaska. She also is survived by many nieces, nephews and grandchildren and great-grandchildren, too many to mention here by name; that was the passion of her heart

Joann was preceded in death by her parents, Glenn and Ruth Martin; her brother, Glenn Jr.; and her daughters, Deborah D. and Cheryl D. Sprinkle.

A memorial for Joann will be held Saturday, May 29, from 1-3 p.m., at family home, 3007 Dawson St., Anchorage Alaska. All family and friends are invited.