An Albert Lea man known for his work as an attorney and a judge is being remembered this week for his impact in the community, both in and out of the courtroom.

Bill Sturtz died Monday at Good Samaritan Society of Albert Lea at the age of 94.

Sturtz worked in general law practice from 1951 through 1969, as Albert Lea city attorney from 1963 to 1969, as a probate and juvenile judge in Freeborn County from 1969 to 1972, as a county court judge from 1972 to 1984 and as a district court judge from 1984 to 1990.

“Bill was one of those guys who was really fair,” said former Freeborn County Sheriff Don Nolander, who served as sheriff from about 1981 to 2003. “He felt a lot of concern for the people who were in the courtroom, which to me was important.”

Nolander said Sturtz was the type of judge who expected people to come into the courtroom prepared, but he was also a judge who worked hard to give juveniles who were facing problems with the law another chance and the opportunity to rehabilitate.

“Kids do stupid stuff,” Nolander said. “People will make mistakes, and he understood that they were kids and that they made mistakes, and they needed some options.”

Sturtz also was deeply concerned about people dealing with addiction, the former sheriff said.

Mark Anderson said he came to Albert Lea and started practicing law in 1975 when Sturtz was a county judge. Anderson said at that time Sturtz dealt with issues such as divorces, juvenile delinquencies and probates.

“He was very kind and very generous with his time,” Anderson said.

“His demeanor was excellent, and he really cared to do a good job.”

He said Sturtz was known for the thought and care he put into making decisions, particularly when juveniles were involved.

Retired Third Judicial Court Judge Jim Broberg said Sturtz had a good command of his courtroom, which was beneficial, as he was a practicing attorney at the time.

He described him as someone who was formal in his operation of his courtroom but otherwise was open, loved to laugh and always had a joke of some kind.

They lived three houses away from each other for several years, and Broberg said he got to know Sturtz more outside of the courtroom.

“He always in my observation was always promoting and was very supportive of family, and especially in the bar association that there would be a lot of activities and participation in community events,” Broberg said.

The two men were also members of Harmony Junction barbershop chorus, where Broberg said Sturtz was one of the first members.

In addition to Harmony Junction, Sturtz was known for his involvement with the Rotary Club, as a member of the Careyaires men’s chorus, for his love and involvement with the theater and for his involvement as a Mason, among many other activities.

Don Petran, longtime Rotary Club member with Sturtz, said his father and Sturtz’s father were friends from high school, and their families saw a lot of each other in their early years. Only a few years apart in age, they also were in Boy Scouts together in a group sponsored by the Presbyterian church.

Petran said Sturtz joined the Rotary Club soon after he came back to town from the service and law school. Petran joined a couple years later when he came back to town as well.

Their fathers had both been Rotarians, too. Sturtz served as district governor for Rotary and attended several international conventions.

Petran described Sturtz as an extrovert, who was well-liked in the community.

Glen Parsons, who acted in several musicals with Sturtz through Albert Lea Community Theatre, including “Ah, Wilderness,” ‘The Rainmaker” and “Kiss Me, Kate,” said Sturtz and his late wife, Helen, were a great pair for the theater.

Parson said Sturtz had many stories to tell and a sharp memory.

“I always thought acting on stage with him was really safe because if I didn’t remember my line, Bill would remember my line,” Parsons said.

Sturtz’s funeral will be at 1 p.m. Monday at First Presbyterian Church. Visitation will be from 4 to 7 p.m. Sunday at Bonnerup Funeral Service and one hour prior to the service at the church.