Donald W Sturm

North Mankato Mortuary - NORTHVIEW
507-388-2288

Donald William Sturm, age 86, of Mankato died peacefully at his home on Saturday, July 30, 2011 surrounded by family.

Mass of Christian burial will be held on Wednesday, August 3, 2011 at 10:30 a.m. at St. Joseph the Worker Catholic Church in Mankato with Father John Wilmot officiating. Interment with military honors will follow at Woodland Hills Memorial Park. Visitation will be held on Tuesday, August 2, 2011 from 3 p.m. to 6 p.m. with a 6 p.m. prayer service at North Mankato Mortuary - NORTHVIEW in North Mankato.
Visitation will also be held one hour prior to the service at the church. In lieu of flowers, memorials are preferred to VINE, Hospice of Mankato or St. Joseph the Worker Catholic Church.

Donnie was born June 18, 1925 in Mankato, MN to William & Marie (Scheurer) Sturm. He attended Loyola High School. In 1943, he enlisted in the U.S. Army and served his country in the European Theater during World War II where he met his future bride, Jos"e Blom. He received an honorable discharge in 1946 and returned to the U.S. with the love of his life where they wed May 10, 1947. Together they made their home in Mankato. Donnie worked for the Lutz family at Northland Beverages for more than 35 years, becoming like one of their family, before retiring in 1987. Following retirement he and Jos"e would winter in Myrtle Beach, SC. Donnie loved golf (watching and playing) and tinkering with just about everything.

Left to honor and cherish his memory is his loving wife of 64 years, Jos"e; daughter Marilyn (Jerry) Carstensen of St. James, sons David (Diane) of Mankato, Chris (Melinda) of North Mankato and Blaine (Brenda) of Coon Rapids; 18 grandchildren and 16 great-grandchildren; sisters MaryAnn Lurth, Leola Johnson, Peggy (Eugene) Fallenstein, aunts Sister Mary Flora Scheurer, Viola Aalid and Lorraine Paine.

He was preceded in death by his sister Annabelle Hinkle, and brothers-in-law Coke Hinkle, Elmer Lurth, and Hart Johnson.