On June 28th, 1939, Jon Douglass Sturm was born in Fulda, MN to Anton and Bernice (Schellenberg) Sturm. Doug was the fifth child, and grew up alongside his six siblings (Joan, Bill, Midge, Don, Dan, and Terry). During his school days Doug met the love of his life, Shirley Fries.
Doug grew up in Fulda, graduated from Fulda High School and joined the Army. During his 3 years in the service, he served as a clerk/typist in Germany. After the Army, Doug returned to Fulda, where he attended college at Worthington and Mankato.
He then married Shirley and they were together for 54 years. Through each other, they found a love that is found only in stories. They were the perfect fit, bringing out the best in each other and complementing each other in every way.
They lived in Mapleton while Doug went to school at Mankato State University. Then Doug and Shirley moved back to Fulda where they built the house they would call home and welcomed their three children (Jon, Marti, and Stacey). It was in this home that they also welcomed their eight grandchildren (Alex, Morgan, Jack, Tony, Hunter, Quinn, Joey, and Sean).
Throughout his life, Doug enjoyed spending time with his family. He was the person who was able to talk to anyone and was always willing to lend a helping hand. Whenever someone was working or in need, he was always there to help.
He never expected anything in return but would always selflessly give of himself to help the people around him. He was the kindest person and loved to visit. He enjoyed working in his shed and was able to build any project he set his mind to.
He enjoyed hunting and fishing, especially traveling to Canada to fish with his son-in-law and grandsons. He loved to stay busy and in his later years enjoyed riding bike around town. Doug could be found traveling with Shirley to many places, including their children’s and grandchildren’s activities, as well as all over the world.
He loved spending time with his children and grandchildren and was the person who could always make them laugh. Doug was diagnosed with Alzheimer’s disease in 2003. He faced every challenge head on and continued to enjoy his life throughout this horrendous disease.
His condition continued to worsen and he was admitted to Dougherty Hospice House in Sioux Falls, SD. His final days were spent surrounded by his family until he decided it was time to go home to heaven on Monday December 24th, 2018. He passed away at the age of 79.
Though Doug has left this physical world, his memory will continue to live on. His kindness, compassion, and love can be seen in his children and grandchildren. He has impacted a wide variety of people and will never be forgotten.
It is hard not to mourn such an incredible man. However, he would not want us to mourn his passing, but rather celebrate his life and remember all the wonderful times we had with him. Physically he may be gone, but his memory will never fade.
He will forever be our friend, father, and grandfather. He is survived by his wife – Shirley Sturm of Fulda, Son – Jon Sturm of Apopka, FL, Daughter – Marti (Todd) Sauer of Brainerd, MN, Daughter – Stacey (Joe) Skaff of Sioux Falls, SD, 8 Grandchildren – Alex, Jack, Tony, and Joey Sauer; Morgan, Hunter, and Quinn Sturm; and Sean Skaff – who will be the honorary urn bearers. He is preceded in death by his parents, Tony and Brownie Sturm, and brothers Don and Bill Sturm.
Visitation will be held Sunday December 30th from 4-6 pm at St. Gabriel’s Catholic Church. Funeral will be held Monday at 10:30 am at St. Gabriel’s Catholic Church in Fulda, MN.
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