Donna J. (Pawlak) Sturm

On Thursday, April 8, 2021, Donna Jean Sturm, loving wife and mother of three children went to be with her Savior Jesus Christ at the age of 80. Donna was born on January 27, 1941 in Cleveland, Ohio to Ed & Ann Pawlak. Donna graduated from West Tech in 1959. She worked at Republic Steel in Downtown Cleveland. Donna had the most beautiful handwriting, was a master at shorthand, and could type 120 words per minute. She married her sailor, Henning Sturm in March 1960. They had three children: Dawn, Henny and a little boy (Baby Boy Sturm) who died at birth.
Donna was preceded in death by her husband, Henning, in 2015, as well as her son Henny in 1983. She is survived by her daughter Dawn and son-in-law Jay Maloney, her grandchildren and spouses Kate and Daniel Finley of Puerto Rico, Ed Maloney of Munroe Falls, Tori and Brent Behnke of Tallmadge, Grant and Allison Maloney of Tennessee, and Laura and Scott Ward of South Carolina. She is also survived by her sister Judy and brother Allen and many dear cousins, nieces and nephews.

Donna was a content, happy woman. She never wanted to be famous or rich, popular or highly regarded, yet she influenced thousands in her lifetime. Not by writing a book, not by speaking to stadiums full of people, but by sitting with them, one at a time at a table over a cup of coffee. Donna made time to listen to people. She sincerely thought everybody and everything was fascinating, and worth her time. Donna made an impression on everyone by making them feel valuable. It was who she was - she innately wanted to make sure everyone knew what it was like to be loved by God, and she wanted everyone to know Jesus loved them. She talked about God all the time...not to convert, but to plainly share the love of Jesus and how incredibly her life had been transformed.
"When I accepted Jesus as my Savior, the sky looked bluer, and all the colors looked brighter," she said many times. She was saved by the grace of God in her 20s, and she kept God's Word at the forefront of her life from then on.
She truly lived every verse from the love chapter 1st Corinthians 13.

Donna was an independent person, fully relying on God for all her needs and those of her family. She believed God's Word had power and her words had power. She turned the smallest things into opportunities for prayer and speaking God's Word aloud.
If you sneezed, she didn't say a traditional 'God bless you,' she would say, "Thank you Lord for a healthy sneeze!"

When driving past a cemetery, it was a reminder to recite the promise, "With long life You satisfy me, and show me Your salvation, and the number of my days You do fulfill." It was hard to find out how she was doing at times, since she would agree with God's promises and say she was healed if she was sick. She was known as a prayer warrior, faithfully declaring God's word and standing on Bible promises. She kept verses displayed throughout her home, even on her kitchen cupboards, where she spent most of her time. She trusted God with the smallest to the greatest concerns, and was in a constant daily conversation with God to the very last day of her life on earth.

Those who were changed by spending time with Donna are her living heirlooms and legacy.

To honor her memory, Donna would love it if you got to know her best friend, Jesus. He loves you. If you already know Jesus, please spend more time with Him and His Word, and introduce Him to those around you.