Waldemar J. Sturm, age 91, of Stevens Point, died November 22, 2014.

Wally was born October 2, 1923 in Stevens Point, son of the late Carl and Josephine Sturm. He attended Jefferson and St. Stephens grade schools and graduated from P.J. Jacobs High School in 1941.

After high school, he attended Central State Teacher’s College where he was active in the Phi Sigma Epsilon Fraternity, played football and basketball and played on the Conference Championship Basketball Team that went to the National Intercollegiate Basketball Tournament in Kansas City, MO in 1942.

He was inducted into the service on January 25, 1943 and served with the 3791^st QM Truck Company in the United States and North Africa. Citations include the American Theater Service Medal, European African Middle Eastern Theater Service Medal, Good Conduct Medal, and Meritorious Unit Award. He attained the rank of Technical Sargent and was discharged at Camp McCoy, Wisconsin on March 1, 1946.

On July 26, 1947 he was married to Marie Wanta at Sacred Heart Church in Polonia, WI.

On April 1947, he started his career with Hardware Mutual Insurance Company as a Fire Prevention Engineer in Chicago, IL. He subsequently worked as a Fire Underwriter, Loss Prevention Technician, Salesman in Toledo, Ohio returning to Stevens Point as a Field Consultant and finally as Director of Loss Control for Wisconsin, U.P. Michigan, Minnesota, Iowa, North Dakota, South Dakota, and Montana. He served on the Fire Prevention and Engineer Committees of the American Mutual Insurance Alliance, The Board of Director of the Wisconsin Council of Safety and was a long time member of the National Safety Councils Committee on Winter Driving. It was his efforts that brought the “Skid Tester” to Stevens Point to become the “Skid Capital of the World”. He also served as Chairman of the Stevens Point Chamber of Commerce Fire Prevention Committee which brought National Honors to Stevens Point for activities during Fire Prevention Week.

After his retirement from Sentry Insurance in April 1983, he enjoyed spending time golfing, hunting, fishing, traveling, and going to his cottage in Michigan’s U.P. Wally also enjoyed preparing his favorite dishes for Marie to enjoy. He spent many winters in Pharr, TX.

Wally is survived by his wife, Marie; sister, Mary (Sturm) Zieper of Eden Prairie, MN, and numerous nieces and nephews.

He was preceded in death by his mother, father, 3 brothers, and 1 sister.

A Funeral Mass will be held 11:30 a.m., Saturday, November 29, 2014 at St. Stanislaus Catholic Church with Rev. Thomas Lindner presiding. Visitation will be held on Saturday from 11:00 a.m. until the time of service at the church. Burial will be held in St. Stephens Catholic Cemetery at a later date.

Online condolences may be made at www.bostonfuneralhome.net. Boston Funeral Home is assisting the family.

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