Theodore "Ted" Sperduto

Theodore C. Sperduto, 75, passed away on December 3, 2021, doing what he loved. He responded to a friend’s request for help, and they completed their tasks by enjoying lunch together. The family is so grateful to his friend and the Wausau Ambulance and Fire Department for their excellent EMTs’ great effort in caring for him.

Theodore was born in Syracuse, NY to the Rev. Frank and Ruth (Roth) Sperduto on July 25, 1946. His mother wanted to call him Theodore because it meant he was a “gift of God”, and his full name was the English version of his uncle’s Italian name. During his youth he lived in Ithaca, NY, Wichita, KS, and Milwaukee, WI following his father as he was called to minister different churches.

Ted graduated from Washington High School in Milwaukee, the University of Dubuque, Dubuque, IA and San Francisco Theological Seminary in San Anselmo with a Master of Divinity degree and Dominican College of San Rafael, CA with a California Teaching Certificate. Ted was ordained into the ministry of the Presbyterian Church in 1977 at the First Presbyterian Church in Wausau and served as Assistant Pastor for two years, focusing on Christian Education and youth ministry. He was an active member of the Winnebago Presbytery.

Ted married Mary Bulman in 1968 in Waukon, Iowa. He was a wonderful father to their two sons, Aaron, and Timothy, also a great husband and travel companion for Mary.

His many joys were telling stories to his first and second graders at Farragut Elementary in Vallejo, CA and Hewitt-Texas, Franklin and GD Jones Schools in Wausau, WI. He loved telling jokes, working with puns, and singing in the choirs of First Presbyterian Church in Wausau and the Wausau Lyric Choir. He loved to share his many childhood memories and traveling to visit family and friends across the U.S. and Europe.

After he retired, he became involved with the National Wisdom Organization and locally worked with NAOMI (North Central Area Congregations Organized to Make an Impact) and Treatment Instead of Prison (TIP). People and their well-being were the core of who Ted was. He was a great listener with a wonderful sense of humor.

Ted’s memory will be forever held in the hearts of his wife, Mary and his sons, Aaron (Jody) and Timothy (Leah), grandchildren, Sophia, Eric, Taylor and Emelia, sister-in-laws, Norma Gaertner of Hochenheim, Germany and Shirley Schoffelman of Green Bay, his namesake uncle, Theodore C. Sperduto (Salvatore Cosmo) along with nieces, nephews, and cousins spread around the world.

It is with grateful hearts that Ted was able to continue in fellowship and outreach right up to the end of his physical life.

The celebration of life memorial service for Ted will be held at 11:00 a.m. on Thursday, December 16, 2021, at First Presbyterian Church, 406 Grant Street, Wausau. A visitation will be held at the church from 9:00 a.m. until the time of service. The family would like to encourage that masks be worn during the visitation and the service.

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be directed to the mission outreach of First Presbyterian Church, NAOMI (c/o First Presbyterian Church), a book to a favorite elementary school library or to a charity of your choice.