Obituary for Mr. Wilfred Roy Sturm Wilfred Roy Sturm “Willy” was born on January 28, 1925 in Ada, Minnesota. He was the third of four children born to Roy and Marie (Scherf) Sturm. He passed to glory on June 22, 2018.
Willy grew up on the family farm, helping his parents until he joined the Army in 1946, serving in Korea at the end of World War II. While he was in Korea, his sister sent him photographs of her friend, Joyce Van Heuveln, who he had not yet met. He kept the pictures with him and met Joyce when he returned to the United States.
He and Joyce were married on August 7, 1948. Willy kept the pictures his sister sent to him in his wallet his entire life. After marriage, Willy and Joyce settled in Willmar, Minnesota and started their family which eventually grew to eight children.
Willy worked for 17 years as a dairy foreman at Quality Dairy in Willmar. In 1963, they moved their young family to California in search of a better life. Willy got a job as a tool and dye maker at Continental Can Company.
The precision work appealed to Willy’s meticulous nature and he received many awards for his work, of which he was very proud. He retired from the company after 23 years of service. After Willy retired from Continental Can, he worked part-time for three and one-half years in his son’s landscaping business.
Willy and Joyce returned to Minnesota in 1991, first settling in Plymouth and later moving to Buffalo, where they lived for 18 years. Willy was an avid fisherman; he and Joyce spent summers traveling to local lakes. Willy also enjoyed working on small engines, and would buy lawnmowers and snow blowers at garage sales, repair them, and sell them at his own garage sales.
Willy was also an animal lover. Throughout his adult life, he had many pets and when his grandchildren visited, it was like a trip to the zoo! When Joyce passed away in 2016, Willy stayed in their home for nearly a year.
In May 2017, Willy moved with his dog, Bella Bleu (BB), to Eden Prairie to be closer to his family. He lived independently at Elim Shores, a senior living apartment complex. While at Elim Shores, Willy developed many close friendships, making the transition easier and bringing joy to his final months.
Willy is survived by five of his eight children: Larry and his wife Wendy, of Litchfield, Curtis and his wife Carol, of Eden Prairie, Colleen Leonhardt of Livermore, California, Penny Sturm of Newark, California and Shawn Sturm of Bethel Island, California. He is also survived by 11 grandchildren and 16 great-grandchildren along with nieces, nephews, and friends. Willy was preceded in death by his beloved wife, Joyce; three of his children, Kip, Marce and Tonja; his parents, Roy and Marie; his siblings, Chester, Dorothy and Adela.
Willy’s family wishes to express their deep gratitude to the N.C. Little Hospice in Edina. Their tender care for Willy and his family will not be forgotten. A visitation will be held from 4:00 until 8:00 pm on Wednesday, June 27, at Washburn-McReavy Eden Prairie Chapel, 7625 Mitchell Rd, Eden Prairie (952-975-0400).
A private burial will be on Thursday, June 28 at Cloverleaf Memorial Park in Willmar, Minnesota. Upcoming Events Visitation 2018 JUN 27. 04:00 PM – 08:00 PM Eden Prairie Chapel 7625 Mitchell Road Eden Prairie, MN, US, 55344 Order Flowers for the Visitation Guaranteed delivery before Wilfred’s Visitation begins.
Graveside 2018 JUN 28. 01:00 PM – 01:30 PM Cloverleaf Memorial Wilmar, MN, US Order Flowers for the Graveside Service Guaranteed delivery before Wilfred’s Graveside Service begins.
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