SAUK CITY- Luella Marjorie Sprecher passed away peacefully on March 4, 2010 at Maplewood Nursing Home in Sauk City. Luella, known to her friends and family as Lou, was born on August 7, 1922 to Nelson and Marjorie(Tooley) Sprecher. Born and raised on the family farm in Irish Valley during the great depression, and the oldest of 8 children, Lou was no stranger to hard work and took great pride in where she came from. Lou began cooking when she was very young by helping her mother in the kitchen and developed an immediate passion for it. She was heavily involved in 4-H and won numerous awards, including 2 national 1st place titles for her abilities in cooking and canning. Lou attended Irish Valley Country School as a youngster where she excelled in softball and later went on to Sauk Prairie High School. She also enjoyed milking time on the farm when she and her sister Dorothy would sing and yodel together. At the young age of 21 Lou ventured out on her own and opened her first restaurant called Lou's Café in Sauk City. She had a long work history in the food industry. She ran a restaurant in Janesville, worked for Country Kitchen in Madison, The Lantern Inn, and cooked for the Wisconsin Badgers at the Yahara Center.

She is survived by her daughter Deb Schwartz of DeForest, a granddaughter Megan Schwartz of Milwaukee, a brother Carol "Dutch"(Carol Ann) Sprecher of Verona, two sisters Dorothy Schreiner of Baraboo, and Arlene Pete of Lake Mills, and two sisters in law, Joanne Sprecher and Jayne Sprecher, both of Madison. Lou is also survived by many nieces, nephews, cousins, and friends. Lou was preceded in death by her father Nelson Sprecher, mother Marjorie(Tooley) Sprecher, and four brothers, Ralph Sprecher, Donald Sprecher, Russel Sprecher, and Eldred Sprecher. Lou Sprecher spread joy to many with her laughter, large heart, and of course, her mouthwatering cuisine and will be sorely missed. Her family would like to thank everyone for their kindness, support, and love throughout her last few weeks of life. Each and every one of you brought an immense amount of joy to her in her final days and for that we are incredibly grateful. A memorial service for Lou will be held at Blackhawk Bethlehem United Methodist Church in Blackhawk, WI on Monday , March 8, 2010 at 3:00 pm with a visitation beginning at 2:00 pm.