303 South Cortez Street
Prescott, Arizona
To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.
Sue Springer
May 6, 2019
In loving memory of a wonderful person. I love you and miss you always.
Don Shook
June 6, 2012
Hey Ward! We just concluded Maggie's memorial service here in Golden, Colorado... wanted to let you know we could not get through the ceremony without a significant mention of you and your impact on her life. You even made it into the celebration video (and how you always hated it when I took pictures of you... boy, am I glad I did)! Thanks for being such a dear friend to us over the decades, and your well-played role of Danielle's "second Dad." We all look forward to this Friday in Prescott and reflecting on your life and what it meant to us. Love you, big guy.
Jennifer Bennett
June 5, 2012
I remember Ward from my days in high school with his daughter, Marnie. He was the dad that was always happy to drive us around and seemed generally interested in our teenage lives. I specifically remember how patient he was when teaching Marnie to drive. It was obvious to all that he loved being Marnie's dad.
Rosa Varela
June 4, 2012
Dios nuestros Señor te tenga en su Santa Gloria. Siempre vas a estar en nuestros pensamientos. Este es el pricipio para ti a una vida mucho mas hermosa.
Rosa Varela, Farmworker office, San Luis, Arizona.
June 2, 2012
I knew Ward as a quiet, gracious, dignified man. I cannot remember a time when I heard him raise his voice. He was calm in presenting his convictions. Ward took time out of his busy schedule to send me a book on the Civil War during the time I was rehabbing after open heart surgery. It was a gift that touched me as well as reminded me of Ward every time I picked it up. A great guy is no longer with us except in these many memories---an ATO brother who left us too soon. Marge and Marnie, our thoughts and prayers are with you! "Thus cracked a noble heart: 'Good night, sweet prince, and may flights of angels bear thee to thy rest.'" (Hamlet) Rick and Mary Keith
May 31, 2012
I feel the loss of our cherished colleague, Ward, greatly. As a person new to the position of managing attorney at Community Legal Services, I relied on him for advice on the best course of action on many things. Because he had announced his retirement, I was able to let him know how much his quick wit and humor got us through manager meetings and how much I would miss that. My deepest sympathy goes out to the his family, friends, and colleagues he has left behind.
Kay Marion Macuil
(Managing Attorney, Community Legal Services, Yuma Office)
Sue Springer
May 31, 2012
I have been profoundly blessed for the past fifteen years to call this kind and gentle man my dear friend. I don't know what I'll do without him and those amazing hugs that only he could give. He was a man of honor and integrity, and one of the finest people I have ever known. He is loved and cherished, and forever a part of my heart.
Roni Tropper
May 31, 2012
A kind and caring soul who dedicated his life to helping those less fortunate. Ward always greeted you with a smile and he will be sorely missed.
Peggi Cornelius
May 31, 2012
It was December, 1992, and CLS was having a holiday party. The hostess was Carrie Anderson, director of the Volunteer Lawyers Program.
The night was dark, the air chilling, but the interior of Carrie's home was festive, warm and inviting. None-the-less, I was a middle-aged “new comer” with some new education, a new career path, a new job, and new colleagues. I was feeling more nervous than festive.
Carrie probably sensed my anxiousness about a social occasion with people I didn't know, and she immediately introduced me to Ward. Aside from the moonless night, the chilly air, and Carrie's thoughtfulness, what I recall from that evening was Ward's friendly face, his welcoming greeting, and his willingness to talk awhile. He put me at ease.
I later came to know Ward as a selfless and effective advocate for people in need of his knowledge, skills, and compassion. We didn't work closely together, but it seemed clear he was tireless and devoted to his work – not a “workaholic”, but a man who didn't segregate himself in his pursuits as an attorney and his life as a human being.
After Ward moved to Prescott, we rarely saw one another, but I always had a sense of delight on seeing him in the hallway or at meetings over the years. The sincere and friendly greeting he'd given me when we were introduced was still there each time we said “hello”.
I feel privileged to have met and had Ward as an example in my life. When I think of Ward, my remembrance of him will always be the same as my first impression. Ward Sturm, a man of intelligence and grace.
Jere Gwin-Lenth
May 31, 2012
From Ward's days at Hamline University in St. Paul and our shared "adventures" at the ATO Fraternity, he has been a dear and loyal friend. Mary and I were honored to be asked to be godparents to Ward and Marge's daughter. Marnie, and have always treasured whatever time we could spend together in Minnesota and Arizona.
When we went on to law school, many of us thought we might save the world, or at least embark on careers helping those most in need, rather than services to business and corporate interests. Ward, through his work at EEOC and CLS, was one of the relatively few who actually did it.
I will miss our regular and spirited (and humorous) e-mail exchanges concerning politics and everything else under the sun. He enriched the lives of so many, and his departure from this life leaves us with a great sense of loss.
Godspeed, brother Ward. And to Marge, and Marhie and family, Mary and I give thanks for Ward's life and and pray for the slow healing that time will bring.
Sarah Youngblood
May 30, 2012
Ward was real, and he was also very patient. I never saw him get mad at anyone. He was a really nice guy.
Otis Perkins
May 30, 2012
Ward will be greatly missed. His warm sense of humor was always timely and appropriate. A very nice man who was forever giving. Ward was God blessing to the CLS staff and clients. He will truly be missed.
Otis Perkins
CLS
Phoenix, Az
Maria Porter
May 30, 2012
Ward had a sense of humor that would always fill the room with laughter during case staffing. And, I will always continue to recall the time when Ward accompanied me on my very first unemployment hearing. The facts in the case screamed "you'll never prevail". But to my surprise we did. Ward never said a word or made any gestures during the hearing, he just sat there listening. After the hearing was over, Ward turned to me and said, "Maria, you presented this case like a lawyer". If he only knew how reassuring his kind and gentle words were to me on that day. (Especially since I have been a Family Law Paralegal for the past 36 years) I will truly miss my dear friend.
To Ward's Family: As the days and weeks pass, and as you return to life's routine, may you continue to feel comforted by the love and support of family and friends.
May 30, 2012
Ward was one of the kindest, most gentle people I have ever known. He was a real PEOPLE person. He always wanted to participate in meetings in person, not by phone. He always spoke directly to a person, especially if he needed to share bad news or unwelcome information. He was never distant or detached or hidden behind an email message. He always had his door open at work. His heart was always open to every person he met. He ADORED his daughter and grandchildren. His whole face lit up when he talked about his next road trip to visit them. His love will live on in their lives. Pat Gerrich
Karen McGettrick
May 30, 2012
Ward was a co-worker in the Phoenix office of Community Legal Services before he moved to Prescott. I always enjoyed working with Ward. He was a real asset to our program. Even after he went to Prescott, he would always stop by my desk to say hello when he came down for meetings. I will miss him.
Deborah
May 30, 2012
I only knew him a short while; however, it did not take long to realize what a great person he was. No matter how busy he was, he always had time to help out anyone who needed him. What a rare and lovely person! We all miss him so much. He will never be forgotten and I feel honored to have known him even for a brief period of time. He made me want to be a better person and I appreciate that gift.
brad gelder
May 30, 2012
I didn't know Ward as long as I would liked, but whenever we worked together, I saw his compassion, humor and intelligence. It was a privilege to have known him.
Curt Stull
May 25, 2012
Ward and I were fraternity brothers while at Hamline. I remember him engaged in frequent debates, usually about politics around our house but his rhetoric was almost always betrayed by a gentle smile. Ward was an immediately engaging person and always had time for you. Marge and Marnie and family, please take comfort in your memories and knowing that Ward was and is a model for a gentle and true man for all of us in the years to come. Gods blessings to you.
Nancy Guadagno
May 24, 2012
I had the true privilege of working with Ward for almost 15 years, and always considered him more than a colleague. He was always so concerned with the feelings of others above his own. He was such a support to me when I lost a dear friend, and shortly after, my mother. He was always there at the other end of the phone, and never once didn't ask how I was feeling. Ward was truly someone I felt honored to call a friend. He will be dearly missed.
Tina Roach
May 22, 2012
I fondly referred to Ward as 'Boss Man', but he was WAY more than just a boss. Ward was a true family friend & will be missed greatly. I've not gotten used to walking into this office & not seeing him as I have for the past 12 1/2 yrs. A piece of us is truly missing. I keep in mind that as long as we have him in our hearts & memories he will never be completely gone from us!
Chris Bracher
May 19, 2012
The short time we were fortunate to be able to share two years ago seems to pop into my memory frequently...along with all the other warm and fuzzy thoughts of past experiences...no more us conservatives taking on those liberals, at least for the time being. I always appreciated Ward's ability to speak the truth. Even more, his obvious care for all. Condolences to all who knew him, and especially to Marge and Marnie. God be with you in these times.
Cynthia Jones
May 18, 2012
Ward was in my life for 22 years plus. I am not able to wrap my brain around not being able to call him again. He was the one person I could talk to about anything without judgment and received plenty of support, love and encouragement. We spent many hours discussing politics, life and its tribulations. Scott, Ward and I spent the last two Thanksgivings together at the Grand Canyon and it wonderful that we have those special memories of our friend. Easter this year was the best as Ward was happy and in great spirits and I am so thankful we had one last great time with him.
Everyone who was ever his friend or family should know that he cared for each and everyone of them with such kindness and compassion. His greatest joy however was his daughter Marnie and her family. George, Kate and Jasper could not have had a more proud and loving Grandfather than Ward. He will always be in our hearts and appreciated for being the man that he was.
Don Shook
May 11, 2012
It is so hard to experience the loss of my dear fraternity brother Ward. I am so thankful he was in my life, and that he got to be such a close friend of both me and my late wife. It is of some comfort that Maggie pre-deceased Ward by six months, for she would have experienced indescribable anguish at his being gone. I can only think that Maggie's got a real close friend of 40 years with her now. My deepest sympathy to all of those who knew and loved Ward throughout his life. We have lost a true gentleman of unquestioned integrity, love and spirit.
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Funeral services provided by:
Ruffner-Wakelin Prescott Chapel Funeral Home and Crematory - Prescott303 South Cortez Street, Prescott, AZ 86303
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