"My prayers & thoughts are with Becky & family at the loss of your father. Mary Doran"
In loving memory of
Jim Sturms
July 31, 1931 - December 2, 2023
JIM STURMS
MUSCATINE, Iowa - Jim Sturms, 92, passed away on Saturday, December 2, 2023, at Wilton Retirement Community.
Funeral Service will be held at 10:30 a.m. on Friday, December 8, 2023, at Wesley United Methodist Church. Pastor Kayla Lange-Carney will officiate. Burial will be in Memorial Park Cemetery.
Visitation will be held from 4 p.m. until 7 p.m. on Thursday, December 7, 2023, at the Ralph J. Wittich-Riley-Freers Funeral Home. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to the family for a scholarship that will be set up in Jim's honor at Muscatine High School. Online condolences may be made at www.wittichfuneralhome.com.
Jim was born on July 31, 1931, in Muscatine, the son of James Clinton and Elma Hazel Stock Sturms. He married Barbara Rose Beckett on June 11, 1960, in Nashua, Iowa at the Little Brown Church in the Vale. They were married for 63 years.
Jim spent his first 17 years in and out of the University of Iowa Hospital. Although he was faced with many challenges, he never let them define him. Some of his most cherished honors were when he was named Handicapped Iowan of the year in 1975, and when he was inducted into the Muscatine High School Hall of Honor in 2005. Jim spent over seven decades serving wherever he lived on community boards, trustees, at the local, state, national, and international levels.
Jim was the instigator of raising funds and constructing 3 new YMCA's in Marshalltown, Burlington, and returning to his hometown of Muscatine in 1986.
Jim was a 1951 graduate of Muscatine High School and earned his AA degree from Muscatine Junior College. He received his Bachelor of Science degree from Iowa Wesleyan University where he received his business administration degree. Jim received his certification as YMCA Director from George Williams College in 1958. Jim was also a member of the YMCA organization and served over 42 years of service at the YMCA as an Executive Director.
Jim was a member of Rotary International for 65 years and a member of the 33 club. He was a member of the Wesley United Methodist Church. Jim was an avid Chicago Cubs and Bears fan.
Jim is survived by his wife, Barbara Rose Sturms; children, Jay Sturms and his fiancé, Deb, Kyle Sturms, and Becky Wichers and her husband, Joel; grandchildren, Christine, Curtis, Kayla, Jenna, Drake, Drew, and Luke; great grandchildren, Camden, Weston, Josephine, Drayton, Kaydence, and Rhett; sister, Jean Haller; and many nieces and nephews.
He is preceded in death by his parents; brother, Donald Sturms and his wife, Ruth; daughter-in-law, Joani Sturms; and brother-in-law, Fred 'Gumps' Haller.
Tributes
"My deepest sympathy goes out to Barb and family for your loss. The many years I spent working with Jim taught me the value of a kind word and big smile. I know he will be missed. Susan Cory"
"Jim was one of the first individuals to welcome me to Muscatine as a new High School Principal. His support & friendship through those years will be remembered always. We will all miss Jim?s infectious smile at Muskie events in support of grandkids & students. Thank you Jim for your commitment to community, and your kindness shown to us all. Robert Weaton"
"Jay & Family, So sorry for your loss of your Father. Gosh I drove by the old house a few weeks ago and the childhood memories started flowing. Your Dad was special kind of a person who could help in any way. It was tough when your family had to move. I would still wander that way but no one was there. Just know my prayers are with you all. "
"My thoughts and prayer are with your family during this difficult time. I had the privilege and honor to meet Jim a couple times at YMCA Cluster meetings. He was truly a dedicated servant leader and loved his family, community, and the YMCA. The YMCA movement was made stronger because of Jim's many contributions. Peace of the Lord to the Sturms Family! "
"Our thoughts are with you during this difficult time. Uncle Jim was such a great person and he will be deeply missed. "
"My sympathies to Jim?s family. Jim was the light of sports at MHS during his years there. I remember him as ?student manager? ( I think that is what the title was) of the basketball team and he was there with towels and words of encouragement always with that big smile win or lose. One ?Mr. Muskie? in my eyes. Rest In Peace Jim!"
"Jim was greatness personified. His contribution, commitment, and passion to community development was first-class and infectious. He mentored a great number of us into servant leadership and doing it the right way. He was intelligent, discerning, attentive, and full of knowledge. He showed us so much compassion and displayed a lot of humility so much that every one of us who knew Jim through the Y, sought to emulate him. I am thankful that our paths crossed so many years ago. I was blessed by his friendship and wise counsel. Thank you, Jim, for a life well lived."
"I am one of the many kids Jim Sturms helped at the old YMCA in Marshalltown. He was friend to everyone that met him and was well respected by every kid that came through those doors."
"My deepest sympathy to the family. Jim was a great guy...I always enjoyed talking with him at the Y. Bob Allbee "
"May memories of Jim comfort the entire family. Sympathies from Dyann and Dave Roby "
"Barb and family. I was saddened to learn that we?d lost our friend,Jim. I was privileged to have worked with him over the years at the Y, and will miss his big heart and big smile. So many great memories will keep him always near to you. Prayers. "