William Storm (1923-2014)

STORM, HOVEY, ERKES, PETERSON, HEILIGER

Posted By: jane austin (email)
Date: 6/12/2021 at 21:05:24

William Earl Storm, son of William and Eleanor (Hovey) Storm was born at rural Sanborn, IA on July 13, 1923. He was baptized and confirmed in the Lutheran faith. Earl attended country school in O'Brien County. In his younger years he was an avid hunter and enjoyed fishing. As a teenager, he was a member of Storm's Accordion Band playing at local dances and in area ballrooms.

He spent two years working at the Puget Sound Naval Shipyard in Bremerton, WA. Earl returned to Sanborn and spent the rest of his working life farming, an occupation which he thoroughly enjoyed.

He married Ruby Erkes on Sept. 20, 1951 at the First Reformed Church in Sheldon and they were blessed with four children, Bryon, Bruce, Valerie, and Steven. Earl and Ruby lived on a farm west of Sanborn until 2006 when they moved to Sheldon.

Earl passed away on Friday, November 14, 2014 at the Sanford Sheldon Medical Center surrounded by his loving family. He reached the age of 91 years, 4 months and 1 day. Earl served as director of the Sioux Valley Watershed Association and director of the Sanborn Funeral Association. He was an avid reader and kept current on world news and politics. He enjoyed big band music, especially listening to Lawrence Welk.

Earl was a lifelong member of St. John's Lutheran church in Sanborn where he had served as secretary, elder and trustee. He was a long time congregational representative for the Lutheran Layman's League.

He leaves to cherish his memory his loving wife, Ruby of 63 years, a son Bryon and his wife, Letty of Sheldon; a son Bruce and his wife, Ann of Storm Lake; a daughter Valerie and her husband, Robert Peterson of Sheldon; a son Steve and his wife Verna of Peoria, Illinois; 12 grandchildren and 2 great grandchildren; a brother Vernon Storm of Sanborn and a sister Elaine Heiliger of Melvin. Earl was preceded in death by his parents and grandson Quentin Storm.

Memorial services were held November 17 at St. John's Lutheran Church of Sanborn with Rev. Jesse Burns officiating. Pallbearers were Nathan Storm, Andrew Storm, Thomas Peterson, Ryan Peterson, Kyle Peterson, Bradley Storm, Daniel Bracy and Kyle Gerhard. Music included Be Still My Soul, Boming Cry and How Great Thou Art with Steven Bemtson as organist. Burial was in Roseland Cemetery of Sanborn with Sanborn Funeral Home in charge of arrangements.

Sanborn (Iowa) Pioneer, 20 Nov 2014, p5