Photo courtesy of Teahen Funeral Home - Cedar Rapids
Cedar Rapids, Iowa
Jun 18, 1938 – Apr 25, 2020 (Age 81)
Sandra Lee Sturm, 81, of Cedar Rapids, Iowa, passed away Saturday, April 25, 2020 at Ridgeview Assisted Living, Cedar Rapids, following a brave fight with cancer. A Celebration of Life will be held at a later date after our lives return to normal following the COVID-19 pandemic. Interment will be in Cedar Memorial Cemetery in Cedar Rapids. Teahen Funeral Home, Cedar Rapids will be in charge of arrangements.
Sandra was born June 18, 1938 in Cedar Rapids, the daughter of John and Genevieve Luke, and remained a lifelong resident of the Cedar Rapids area. She graduated from Roosevelt High School and married her high school sweetheart Raymond J. Sturm August 3, 1957. Sandy and Raymond were blessed with four sons, Ted, Robert, David, and Steven. She worked at Collins Radio, Paramount Pharmacy, and Mercy Hospital primarily, and taught countless people throughout her lifetime to swim.
Sandy took great pleasure in following Ray’s softball career, raising her children, and enjoying her grandchildren. She was interested in others and always was quick to ask how they were doing first and foremost. Sandy cherished her friendships, reminiscing about the good old days, and in later years, growing old with Ray by her side. She will be missed by many.
Survivors include her husband of 62 years, Raymond J. Sturm; her children, Ted (Kimberly) Sturm of Cedar Rapids, Robert Sturm of Shellsburg, David (Maguette) Sturm of Burtonsville, MD, and Steven (Sue) Sturm of Grays Lake, IL; grandchildren, Scott Sturm, Jill (Jordon) Ahrendsen, Laura (fiancé Greg Saunders) Sturm, Mai (Corey) Holden, Rei (fiancé Weijia Leng), Aicha Sturm, Nataile Sturm, and Eric Sturm; great-grandsons, Jax Sturm and Logan Holden; brother, Terry (Orva) Luke; sister, Susan Luke-Rude; sister-in-law, Mary Luke; and numerous nieces, nephews and cousins, especially special cousin, Doug (Millie) Havlick.
Sandy was preceded in death by her parents; step-father, John Crumbaugh; parents in-law, Frank and Gladys “Mugga” Sturm; brother, Jack Luke; and brother/sister in-law, Frank, Jr. (Kathy) Sturm.
A special thank-you to staff at Ridgeview Assisted Living, Meadowview Memory Care, and Hospice of Mercy for the love and kindness given to Sandy and her family.
Memorials may be directed to the First Lutheran Church in Cedar Rapids.
Read MoreI'm so sorry to hear of Sandy's passing! She was great fun and I have a lot of fond memories of her and your entire family!
Connie Floerchinger
May 15, 2020
Thanks to all of Mom and Dads friends and family for sharing your memories of Mom. She will be missed by all!
Ted Sturm
May 06, 2020 | Son
I have special memories of Sandy and her love for her family. May God's love and your memories help to sustain you at this difficult time.
Carol Kuhl
May 05, 2020 | Cedar Rapids, IA | Friend
Mrs. Sturm was a very nice woman! I always enjoyed my visits with her and Mr. Sturm! My sympathy to Mr. Sturm and and all the rest of her family. Dr. John Wollner
John Wollner
May 04, 2020 | Cedar Rapids, IA
I have many fond memories of Sandy when I worked with her at Mercy. She was like a mother to us younger staff and instilled in all of us the importance of voting. I remember laughing hysterically when she ordered a new cleaner when cleaning the whirlpool and a couple minutes later foam and bubbles were coming out the door!!!! We had a lot of good times!
My sympathy and love to the family.
Lou Ann Weber
Lou Ann Weber
May 01, 2020 | Cedar Rapids, IA
Ray and family,
We were so sorry to hear of Sandys passing. We remember fondly our time as neighbors on Westwood Dr. Sandy was a warm and caring woman and she will be greatly missed.
Lisa and Wes Huisinga
May 01, 2020 | Cedar Rapids, IA | Friend
I knew Sandy for several years when she worked in P.T. at Mercy. She was kind of a do-it-all staff member and always did what needed to be done. I was just thinking about Sandy the other day and then unfortunately saw that she had passed. I'm sorry for the loss to her family. Grant Carter-Mercy Medical Center
Grant Carter
May 01, 2020 | Cedar Rapids, IA | Coworker
Sorry to hear about Sandy. Gene Mihal
Gene Mihal
May 01, 2020 | Hiawatha, IA
Remembered By
Jack Stone
April 30, 2020 | Omaha, NE
