James A. Sturm

May 22, 1948 – February 23, 2021

Tuesday afternoon, February 23, 2021 a warm and generous heart stopped beating.

James Arthur Sturm, age 72 of Oshkosh, slipped peacefully into eternal life at the Mercy Medical Center emergency room. His sudden death has left a deep sadness in the hearts of his family.

For 27 years Jim shared a soul mate relationship with his wife, Maureen. Being patriarch to the Luaders-Sturm family for all that time suited him well. His presence in family life was large and engaging. He always greeted his grandchildren with huge hugs and pet names—Puddenhead and Little Sweetheart. He saw them several times a week and his arrival elicited squeals of laughter. His love of Harley-Davidsons is well known. He could often be seen driving by on his 2014 Harley-Davidson Tri-Glide with his special needs granddaughter on the back. She was always priority one with him and he would drop anything he was doing to go and help her day or night. His big heart was extended to all his 5 children in equal measure. He was a confidant, helpmate, and always incredibly generous. He kept close contact with his Boston children, and several times a year he would pack up his little black truck and head east to spend time with them.

As word of his sudden death spread through the community, many reminisced on the kind man they knew as an owner/vice president of A. Sturm & Sons, Inc. of Manawa, WI. He started in the family business as a teenager unloading sugar from boxcars, sweeping floors and breaking down boxes. He spent time working in the plant and doing every job possible to learn the business.

Jim attended Valparaiso and the University of Arizona, graduating with a degree in business. Waiting to be drafted during Vietnam, he returned to Manawa and immersed himself in the company. Along with several cousins, he and his brother Jay and sister Susan became the internal engine that drove A. Sturm & Sons, Inc. Jim was vice president, buyer, and transportation manager overseeing everything that moved in and out of the plant. Uniquely, he and his siblings were able to move between jobs as needed in their business. Jim was a people person and placed high value on those who worked for him turning out A. Sturm & Sons top notch products that eventually propelled the company worldwide. In 1999 A. Sturm & Sons, Inc. was sold, and Jim began new chapters in his life.

Up until his death, Jim was president of the Sturm Foundation which provides help to countless organizations across the state. He was also president of Sturm Farms, Inc.

His memory is cherished by his wife Maureen and the children he loved so much: Alex (Amanda) of Oshkosh, WI, Kelly (Mike) of Oshkosh, WI, Matt (Colleen) of Chicago, IL, Terrance (Kelly) of Boston, MA, and Amy of Boston, MA. Many children were blessed to call him their Grampa: Estelle, Finn, Domanic, Adeline, Aiden, Ethan, Akira, Caleb, Libby, Ben, Elayna, Davidson and Jadelyn. Other family members who will miss him in their lives are his brother Paul Jay Sturm (Pam), and 2 sisters, Mary Riesenberg (John) and Susan E. Sturm of Manawa.

In the past, Jim has expressed that his funeral should be quiet and unassuming. Honoring that wish, a private family gathering at the graveside will be held on Sunday.

Jim darling, however, will I live without you?

I will love you forever – until we meet again!

Maureen

Mueller Funeral Home-Winneconne is assisting the family.

If you wish, please submit online condolences to muellerfh.net.