George T. Sturgis

George Thomas Sturgis, age 80 of Eau Claire passed away Monday, January 8, 2024 at his home while under hospice care.

He was born May 2, 1943 in St. Paul, MN to Neal and Jeanette (Gerber) Sturgis. The family later moved to Eau Claire where George grew up. After graduating from Memorial High, he left for Zion, IL where he worked at Warwick Electronics until entering the U.S. Army during the Viet Nam War. Stationed in Seoul, Korea, he served his country from 1964 to 1966. He enrolled at Gateway Technical College in Kenosha on the GI Bill and then transferred to CVTC in Eau Claire second semester. That winter he met Eileen Waak, became engaged in the spring, and married her at Our Redeemer Lutheran Church on August 2, 1969. After earning his Electronic Technician degree, George transferred to UW-Stout where he graduated two years later with a BS in Industrial Arts Education with a concentration in Electricity/Electronics. He began teaching at Mauston, WI where their first daughter was born in 1975.

During summers he worked on his Master's degree and began teaching at Gogebic Community College in Ironwood, MI in 1976-77. After deciding teaching was not his calling, the family moved back to Eau Claire where George worked for a time as an electrician and then in quality control for over 20 years at Automation Displays, Inc./Video Monitors, Inc. later known as Dotronix. A second daughter was born in 1978. As the girls were growing up, George was very involved in caring for them and especially enjoyed coaching their fast pitch softball teams. George loved gardening and took pride in his tomatoes that he made into excellent spaghetti sauce. He was a Master Gardener and participated and volunteered at the E.C. County Exposition Center. George was a hunter and member of the E. C. National Rifle Club. After retirement he could be found most weekday mornings having coffee with some buddies at McDonald's.

He also was an avid reader and spent a lot of time on the computer. Although not a man of many words, he had a kind and generous heart and was a loving husband and father to his children.

Survivors include his wife Eileen of 54 years, daughters Brooke and Crystal Sturgis, son-in-law Chad Landsinger, step grandson Hugh Champagne, brother Reverend Larry (Anita) Sturgis, sister Elaine Sturgis, brother- in-law James Legge, brother-in-law Howard (Janet) Waak, three godchildren, cousins, nieces, nephews, great, and great great nieces and nephews.

Those preceding him in death include parents, in-laws, sisters Jodean Randen and Ethel Legge, nephew John Randen, brother and sister-in-law Roger and Carol Waak, a special cousin John Mai, as well as other cousins, aunts, and uncles.

A funeral service will be held on Monday, January 15, 2024 at 11 am at Hulke Family Funeral Home. Rev. Aaron Sturgis will officiate. Visitation will be one hour prior to the service. Interment will be at Rest Haven Gardens immediately after the service, which will be officiated by Pastor Jeff Carlson.

Friends and family may offer condolences online at www.hulkefamilyfh.com. 

Hulke Family Funeral Home & Cremation Services, 3209 Rudolph Road, Eau Claire, WI 54701 is assisting the family with the arrangements.  

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