Leslie James Sturm
Leslie James Sturm, age 79, died at his home in Sitka Oct. 21.
Graveside services will be noon Friday, Oct. 28, at the Sitka National Cemetery, followed by a celebration of life at the Elks Lodge from 1 to 3 p.m.
Born Oct. 6, 1937, Les – “Bud” to his family – grew up in Juneau. His parents, Leslie and Madeline Sturm, along with his sister Kathy enjoyed living in Juneau, where his father was a meat cutter and owned and operated Sturm Lockers. His mother worked for the State of Alaska.
After graduating from Juneau-Douglas High School in 1956, he worked for the Alaska Road Commission until enlisting in the Army in 1958. He served for four years and earned a good conduct medal.
After returning from service he worked for five years as a materials inspector for the Alaska Department of Highways, traveling throughout Southeast Alaska. While working on a project in Sitka in 1966 he met and fell in love with Susan (Kinberg) Wheeler and her five children. Les and Susan married in July 1966 and he went to work for Alaska Lumber and Pulp in 1968. Three daughters were added to the family by 1971.
Les and Susan divorced December 1983. He continued working as a pipefitter at ALP until 1986, when the mill workers went on strike. Close to retirement he bridged his time until retirement as a security guard in the Washington area. But not wanting to be gone from his family, he returned to Sitka and took a position as a night clerk at the Sitka Hotel until he retired.
He would mail cards all the time to his friends and family to cheer up his loved ones who were sick or needing their day brightened. Although he was reclusive he enjoyed hearing about his family’s many adventures and spending time with his children and grandchildren. He loved to play cards and watch old movies, especially an old western or history shows.
He was a lifetime member of both the Elks Lodge and Moose Lodge.
His mobility had been challenging in his retirement years. He had injured both of his feet while serving in the Army but this didn’t stop him from traveling a couple times of year to visit his family in the Washington area.
He loved his many pets over his lifetime; Champ, Snoopy, Grizzly, Buns Up, Squeakers, Alexis, and Simon to name a few.
He was preceded in death by his parents Leslie and Madeline Sturm; brother-in-law Gale Zable; nephew James Zable; and son-in-law Thomas K. Young.
He is survived by his sister, Kathy Zable, and her children John Zable, Margo Passeau, and Kimberly Santee of Renton, Wash.
He also is survived by his children: Valorie and Connor Nelson of Sitka, and grandchildren, Marti Jones, Spencer Nelson, Cory Nelson, Brooke Nelson, Kyle Rice and Kendra Nicholson; Tony and Barb Sturm of Sitka, and grandsons Joshua Sturm and James Sturm; Lyndene and Gary Downie of Sitka, and grandchildren Jeremy Downie, Jenna Downie and Gary Lee Downie Jr.; Dawn and Randy Gluth of Sitka, and granddaughters Tiffany Pearson, Theresa Hampton, Katherine Gluth, Emily Baldwin, Julia Hyatt and Johanna Gluth.
Also, Jeff and Tammy Wheeler of Sitka, and grandchildren Jason Koelling, Ashlee Morrow, Tallulah Wheeler, Keegan Wheeler, Casey Wheeler, Abbigale Wheeler and Jack Wheeler; Madeline Baughn and Keith Rake of Lewiston, Idaho, and granddaughter Megan Radke; Stella Sturm and Dan Shockley of Sitka, and grandsons Matthew Hornaman Jr., Trevor Hornaman, Alex Raphun and Anthony Raphun; and Leslie Young of Sitka, and grandsons Wayne Young and Jason Young.
Many great-grandchildren also survive.
In lieu of flowers donations can be made to the Sitka Animal Shelter, the Elks Lodge or the Moose Lodge.
