Myrt Sturm passed away peacefully at the age of 89 in Troutdale, Oregon on December 29, 2022 with her son and daughter-in-law by her side.
Myrt was born on August 3, 1933 in Bismarck, North Dakota to Homer and Ann Stockman. She was the fourth of six children and remained close friends with her siblings throughout her life. Her family moved to Sandy, Oregon in 1936 where she attended Cottrell Grade School and graduated from Sandy High School in 1951.
Myrt met Grant Sturm, the “cute boy from Benson”, through mutual friends during their high school years. They sent each other love letters and pictures while Grant was stationed in Galena, Alaska as a diesel mechanic in the US Air Force. He bought her a wedding ring on the ship on the way home and they were married October 18, 1953 at Trinity Lutheran Church in Gresham, Oregon.
Myrt always had a knack for numbers and spent most of her working years in bookkeeping. She worked for many years at Berg Machinery and retired from Sandy School District Office in 1996. She also enjoyed filling in at McRoberts Ford and Bonneville Dam because she had the opportunity to work with her sisters. When she was not using her quick mind for work, she was using it to beat you at cards, particularly Nertz, Pinochle and Cribbage. Grant was a berry farmer and Myrt also helped at the farm throughout her life, keeping the books, getting her hands dirty to help with the planting and other farm chores, and bringing a home-cooked dinner up for the crew every night.
The most important thing in Myrt’s life was family and to her family included immediate, extended and friends like family. She treasured everyone in her life and made sure you knew it. She was the glue that held our large family of nieces and nephews together. Her legendary Christmas Eve parties were full of laughter, cheer and Santa visits. Everyone in the family has a special memory from Christmas Eve and it’s because of the magic that she created. She could also be found at every birthday party, shower, holiday and sporting event showing her support. Her siblings held an extra special place in her heart and they were her closest friends through it all. They have many memories of traveling together in the motor home, tubing behind the terra tiger in Heppner, the beach house in Tierra del Mar, cards and bike rides in Sunriver, and their timeshare that made them go on vacations to Mexico, Hawaii, Sunriver, and the Embarcadero. Myrt will be remembered most for her fun spirit and contagious laugh.
Myrt is survived by her husband of 69 years, Grant, her son Don (Rosie), her grandchildren Tanna (Weldon) and Travis (Natalie) and her great-grandchildren Shaylee, Brevin and Wylie. She is also survived by her brother Vic Stockman, sister Betty Gillham, sister-in-laws Margaret Stockman and Georgia Stockman, as well as many nieces and nephews. She is preceded in death by her parents Homer and Ann Stockman, siblings Dort Gray, Gene Stockman, and Lucetta Paluck, brother-in-laws Dean Gray, Frank Paluck, Vern Gillham, and Junior Fleming, nephews Greg Lofstedt, Greg Dalrymple, Allen Paluck, Jack Paluck and Shawn Paluck, and her ghost at the Cottrell house Lonny.
The family would like to extend a special thank you to Jody Woodward who took care of both Myrt and Grant after Myrt’s stroke, exercising with them, painting Myrt’s nails, shopping and running errands, and most importantly being Myrt’s close friend.
A celebration of life is planned at Sandy Community Center on Saturday, February 4th 2023 at 11:00am. We will have a ceremony first, followed by lunch and time to gather and share memories. In lieu of flowers, please consider donating to one of Myrt’s favorite charities: Sandy Hospice, Providence Hospice, and Boys Town.