Wesley James Sturgis, 84, passed peacefully into his heavenly home March 12, 2020 surrounded by family in Yuma, Arizona following a short battle with cancer. He was born in Sidney, Montana January 20, 1936, to parents Floyd and Hazel (Thiel) Sturgis. He attended school in Sidney and at 18 years, he enlisted in the US Army.
He was eventually stationed at Camp Hanford Washington, where he met his future wife Sharon Nielsen who resided in Richland, Washington. They married one year later and were transferred to Fort Greely, Alaska in May 1956. Daughter Sheila was born in Alaska the following May in 1957. Their next transfer was to Fort Riley Kansas, where daughter Brenda came into the world in July 1958.
Wes was honorably discharged from the US Army in September 1959. They then opted to return to Wes' birthplace of Sidney, Montana where they settled permanently and welcomed their 2 sons, Brian in 1961 & Darren in 1964. Wes spent several years driving trucks and operating his excavation business under the name of "Snoco", retiring in 2005. Wes never lost his enthusiasm for anything with an engine, be it on land, air or sea; he loved the RV Life. They looked forward to their yearly trips south every winter since 1988 & called themselves "Half-Yumans". At the time of his passing they had been enjoying their RV life in the sunshine of Yuma, Arizona under the palm trees.
Wesley leaves behind his wife of 63 years Sharon Sturgis, two daughters Sheila Sturgis-Cottrell of Sidney, Montana, Brenda (Al) Brady of Gillette, Wyoming, two sons Brian (Brenda) Sturgis and Darren Sturgis both of Sidney, Montana, one brother Danny (Kathy) Sturgis, sisters-in-law Frances (Nielsen) Zeuge & Valerie (Nielsen) Lee.
Popa will be missed by 9 grandchildren, Sasha (Brian) Bannister, Beau Cottrell, Lane Cottrell, Brianne Sturgis, Brittney Sturgis, Baillie (Halen) Crosby, RaeAnne Sturgis, Jordan Sturgis & Sheridan Sturgis. 14 great grandchildren including, Wesley, Matti & Brekk Bannister (Sasha), Caden, Kyia & ShaeLynn Cottrell (Beau), Christine & Alianna Cottrell (Lane), Aiden & Jayce Rudie (Brianne), Taylor & Blake Anderson (Brittney), Piper & Connor Crosby (Baillie). Let's not forget the family cat "Kramer". We will all miss our Popa so very much as he was our Hero!
Preceding him in death were his parents Floyd Sturgis & Hazel (Thiel) Sturgis, brother Buddy Sturgis, sisters Verna Shields & Midge Gustafson. Wife's parents Mr. & Mrs. C.G. Nielsen, as well as sisters-in-law Marilyn (Nielsen) Ragsdale, Laurel (Nielsen) Fleck & numerous aunts, uncles & cousins.
