Hannelore Erika Wendt Sperling

Hannelore Erika Sperling passed away on May 20, 2015 surrounded by beloved friends. Born Hannelore Erika Wendt in Berlin, Germany in 1941, she and her family survived the brutal invasion of Berlin by the Soviet Army and the long, miserable post war recovery in the late 1940s and 1950s. In dreary post-war Berlin she developed a resolve to succeed no matter the odds and considered herself very lucky to live in the American Sector. She studied English and dreamed of visiting America, the storied land of opportunity, where cowboys and Indians lived and one could prosper through hard work and innovation. After high school, Hannelore was formally trained to be a professional beautician for nearly two years, but soon married the first love of her life, another Berliner named Erich Sperling. Erich had joined the U.S. Army where his uncanny ability to speak English, French, Spanish and several other languages as well as his native German was very useful to his fellow soldiers. Erich had several assignments in Europe, including a brief stint in the 3rd Armored Division in Friedberg, West Germany where another GI in his unit named Elvis Presley (known for his uncanny ability to sing - though the U.S. Army did not find that skill useful) occasionally transported Erich and other soldiers in his Jeep. Eventually Erich took Hannelore to the United States where she proudly served as an Army wife during the 1960s. They moved all over the US, including New Mexico, where Hannelore marveled at actually meeting real cowboys and American Indians. After Erich left the Army in 1968 they settled in the Washington area where Erich became a computer programmer at the Pentagon. After his untimely death from cancer in 1973 she became a professional beautician esteemed for her skills in hair styling and skin care using her thorough German training. Hannelore also briefly modeled in Paris and competed successfully in numerous hairstylist shows in the US and Europe. Hannelore also studied English and business management intensely at night school, while she scrimped and saved to start her own business. In 1980 she achieved another childhood dream when she bought a hair salon named Beauty Encounters in Crystal City and re-made it into a classic European salon. Hannelore and her talented staff made clients look better and feel better at Beauty Encounters for over 30 years, making it a Crystal City landmark. Hannelore had many pursuits including dancing, golf, skiing, horse-riding, gardening, gourmet cooking, aviation and astronomy. A favorite pastime was using her telescope on the balcony of her condo in Crystal City to watch aircraft queued up for take-off on the runway at Reagan National Airport by day and then turning the telescope skyward to watch the moon, stars and planets at night. Hannelore loved her work with adults at the salon but she also thoroughly enjoyed the company of all toddlers, babies, dogs and horses. Hannelore met the second love of her life, her partner, Nick Demidovich, when he was a U.S. Air Force officer stationed in Arlington at the Missile Defense Agency; they were introduced through mutual friends who frequented her salon. She loved to travel with Nick to New York City (where he grew up); and his large extended family in New York State adopted her as their own. Hannelore also frequently traveled back to Germany to visit her sister and brother in law Annemarie and Ingo Winzler of Berlin, her brother, Peter Wendt of Bad-Wildungen, her nephew Bernd, his wife and three children (all of whom survive her) and her mother Lisa Baller, (who recently died). Hannelore was also the beloved daughter of the late Erich Karl Gustav Wendt and mother of Claudia who died at birth. Despite humble and difficult beginnings in her native land, Hannelore Sperling triumphed over adversity and achieved great success in America, her adopted country . She made the world a better place, and now she is in a better place. Mass of Christian Burial will be offered at the Fort Myer Old Post Chapel Church on Tuesday, September 15, 2015 at 2:45pm. Early arrival is recommended in case of heightened security. Inform Fort Myer security that you are there for the Sperling Funeral. Once proceeding forward from the gate, you will see the Memorial Chapel (it is NOT the Fort Myer Old Post Chapel Church). Make a left in front of Memorial Chapel onto McNair Road. Proceed approximately four blocks . Old Post Chapel Church will be on your right. After the service a caravan of cars will leave the church and proceed to the burial site. Interment will follow at Arlington National Cemetery where Hannelore will be buried with Erich and Claudia. A gathering to celebrate the life of Hannelore Sperling (after Internment) will occur at approximately 4:15 pm - 6:15 pm at (Fort Myer) Spates Community Club (Building 407 McNair Road) in the Executive Room. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to the Animal Welfare League of Arlington; (Attention: Development Manager), 2650 S Arlington Mill Drive; Arlington, Virginia 22206. ( Or online at http://www.awla.org/donate/ ) Please note the donations are in memory of Hannelore Sperling.