Joel Sturm

Joel Michael Sturm, 58, of Bellevue, passed away suddenly, Sunday, August 10, 2014, at Mercy Medical Center. A Mass of Christian Burial will be held at 10:30 a.m., Thursday, August 14, at St. Joseph Catholic Church, in Bellevue. Burial will take place in the parish cemetery. Visitation for Joel will be held from 3:00 7:00 p.m. Wednesday at the St. Joseph Catholic Church and again Thursday morning from 9:00 until 10:00 a.m. at Hachmann Funeral Home. Joel was born January 20, 1956 in Bellevue, son of Vincent and Gloria (Keil) Sturm. Joel graduated from Marquette High School in 1974 and Loras College in 1978. He married Karen Gonner on August 16, 1980 in Springbrook. He spent 28 years working for the Post Office in Dubuque, retiring in 2013. Joel cherished his faith, his family, and his friends. He was a hero and best friend to his family and many who knew him. Joel gave everything he had to his loving wife, kids, grandkids and all the kids he had the pleasure of coaching over the years. He was so proud to see the young men and women they grew to be. Joel was honored to play with many teams, including Marquette Mohawks, Riverview Rockets, Webers fastpitch, Bellevue Braves, Horizon Lanes slowpitch, and his buddies on the golf and bowling teams. He loved the outdoors and cherished the time spent hunting with his sons and many friends. Joel was a member of the Knights of Columbus, Bellevue Community Club, Dubuque Fastpitch Softball Hall of Fame, past member of the St. Joseph parish council, and president of the Bellevue Golf Club. He volunteered as a driver for the RTA bus and coach for the Marquette baseball team. Joel was a very special person who will be deeply missed by all who knew him. Memories of him will carry on through those that live by his example of humbleness, humor, compassion and love. Those left to honor his memory include his wife Karen; his children, Brittni Imhof (friend Chad Harris), Jacob (Melissa), Michael, and Isaac (friend Haley Lampe); five grandchildren, Morgan and Lexi Imhof, Landon, Eli and Leah Sturm; mother, Gloria Dottie; brother, Steven (Kathy); and two sisters, Jackie (Phil) Roling, and Carla (Gary) Corbett; father in-law, Merlin Gonner; brothers in-law, Stan (Tammy) Gonner, Duane (Tina) Gonner and John (Jackie) Gonner; godchildren, Aric Keil and Kathy (Roling) Miller; godmother, Mary Sturm; and many nieces, nephews, aunts, uncles, cousins, and friends. He was preceded in death by his father, Vincent; mother in-law, Marcellene Gonner; grandparents Lloyd and Lola Keil and Joseph and Antoinette Sturm; and godfather, Lloyd Bud Keil. The family would like to thank the Bellevue Fire Department, Police Department, and Ambulance Service for their extraordinary efforts to help us in our time of need. In lieu of flowers, a memorial fund has been established in Joels Name.Reception:Horizon Hall970 North Riverview StreetBellevue, IA 52031