Grant Sturm passed away peacefully at the age of 91 in Troutdale, Oregon on March 17, 2023.
Grant was born on June 24, 1931 in Hillsboro, Oregon, the first child to Elmer and Lydia Sturm. He attended Orient Grade School and high school at Hill High and Benson. He graduated from Benson in 1950.
After high school, Grant joined the Air Force and was stationed in Galena, Alaska. He served as a diesel mechanic but was also active-duty during the Korean war and always ready if needed.
During his time in Alaska, Grant exchanged letters and pictures with Myrt Stockman whom he had met through mutual friends during their high school years. He bought a wedding ring on the ship on his way home and they were married October 18, 1953 at Trinity Lutheran Church in Gresham, Oregon.
Grant spent a few years as a machinist and then logger and worked at a sawmill in Heppner, before becoming a farmer for the rest of his working years. He started farming with his dad Elmer and brother Bob, growing many varieties of berries and vegetables, with farms from Troutdale to Wilsonville. In 1984, Bob and Grant split and Grant started farming with his son Don at their farm in Corbett. He loved farming with his son and continued to help after he sold the farm to Don and retired in 1994.
Grant was an avid hunter and fisherman with the stories to go with it. He enjoyed deer and elk hunting in Heppner with Dave Warner from their hunting shack on FreezeOut and later with Dave Mannthey at Meadowbrook. He spent 2-3 weeks in Alaska each summer fishing on a boat out of Ketchikan with Dan Ten Eyck. In 1996, he and Myrt moved to their house on the Sandy River and he spent his days fishing with Dave until noon and then relaxing in his chair watching the boats come into the boat ramp. He could give you a full report on everyone’s catch and whatever excitement was happening at the river that day.
He also loved gardening and maintained beautiful yards at their Cottrell house and river house. He kept a large garden full of flowers, vegetables and of course, berries.
Grant is survived by his son Don (Rosie), his grandchildren Tanna (Weldon) and Travis (Natalie) and his great-grandchildren Shaylee, Brevin and Wylie. He is also survived by his sisters Ida Mae Johnston and Betty Dieringer. He is preceded in death by his parents Elmer Sturm and Lydia Blake, his wife of 69 years Myrt Sturm, and siblings Bob Sturm, Verna Jean Hale, and Gordon Nelson.
The family would like to extend a special thank you to Jody Woodward and the care team at Cherry Park. Jody took care of both Myrt and Grant after Myrt’s stroke, exercising with Grant, shopping and running errands, and most importantly being their friend. The care team at Cherry Park had a special place in their heart for both Myrt and Grant and checked in on them often, particularly spending time with Grant after Myrt passed.
A memorial is planned on Friday, April 7th 2023. There will be a graveside service at 12:30pm at Douglass Cemetery in Troutdale, followed by lunch and a celebration of life at Glenn Otto Park immediately after. In lieu of flowers, please consider donating to Sandy Hospice or Providence Hospice.