Donald J. "Don" Sturdevant

  Donald Joseph “Don” Sturdevant, 82, of Sioux City passed away unexpectedly on Saturday, November 25, 2023, in Madison, Wisconsin. A Funeral Mass will be held Saturday, December 2^nd at 10:30 a.m. at Immaculate Conception Catholic Church. Don's funeral will be live streamed at the following link: https://youtube.com/live/eRMOmw1Y5aQ?feature=share Father Mark Stoll will be officiating. Visitation will be Friday evening from 4:30-8 p.m. with a vigil service at 6:30 p.m. at Meyer Brothers Morningside Chapel. Online condolences may be directed to www.meyerbroschapels.com.

  Don was born on May 29, 1941, in Fort Dodge, Iowa, to Alva and Anna (Kamp) Sturdevant. He grew up in Lehigh, Iowa, and earned a degree in social studies and mathematics from the University of Northern Iowa in 1962, followed by supplementary work at Pepperdine and the University of Oklahoma.  In his first position, he taught mathematics in Central California to a diverse population of elementary aged students including those from migrant worker families. He soon returned to his hometown to continue his teaching career.

  In Fort Dodge, at the behest of lifelong friends, Denny and Carol Keck, Don met a young woman named Sheila (Walsh) Miller. This night of card playing ultimately led to their union on March 21,1970 in Barnum, Iowa. He immediately became a father figure to Sheila’s young son, Vince and they moved to  Sioux City in 1972. Don and Sheila have resided in the same Morningside home ever since and three additional children were added to the family: Matt, Mark, and Ann.

  After several years in the education field, he transitioned into social services. For more than two decades, he worked for the Department of Corrections as a parole officer and subsequently with the Iowa Department of Human Services/ Child Protective Services. Upon retirement, Don went back to education, this time teaching English as a Second Language and GED classes. In this capacity, he served predominantly underserved populations at Western Iowa Tech, Northeast Community College (South Sioux City), and the Nebraska State Probation Office.  

  In his free time, Don was an avid reader with a particular interest in the plight of American Indigenous populations.  He spent many beautiful Iowa summer days at his cabin in Twin Lakes, Iowa and traveled innumerable miles to see his grandchildren. He was always the strongest supporter of his children’s and grandchildren’s endeavors, including countless wrestling tournaments, hockey games, and scouting outings.

  Prior to his courtship with Sheila, he converted to the Roman Catholic faith and devoted over 50 years to the Immaculate Conception Parish in Morningside. He was an ardent advocate for Catholic education, and he personally afforded his children 1-on-1 tutoring in math, the sessions were of legendary intensity.  He and Sheila have been a fixture at athletic and cultural activities at Bishop Heelan High School for many decades.

  Don's faith and unspoken philosophy on life, manifested with acts of service to a wide array of people, many of whom were underserved.  Without fanfare, he helped and availed himself to others with the intent to mentor and lead people to their fullest potential. He developed deep relationships with extended family and friends, fellow parishioners, workmates, and even strangers through his ESL/GED teaching activities.

  He is survived by his wife, Sheila Sturdevant of Sioux City and his children: Vince Miller of Omaha along with his wife Renee and children Shelby and Peyton; Matt Sturdevant of Dakota Dunes and his wife Stacy and stepchildren Taylor and Riley; Mark Sturdevant of Seattle, WA with his fiancée Mahan and her daughter Aspen Rose; and Ann (Sturdevant) Lanham of Madison, WI with her husband Zach and children Riley, Keelin, Trey, and Shea.

  He was preceded in death by his parents; two brothers: James and Clifford Sturdevant, and his sisters Betty Ann (Sturdevant) Bartlett and Wylda (Sturdevant) Reedy.