Bryan Edward Stormer, age 58, passed away and went to heaven on Thursday, March 7th, 2024 after an intense and courageous battle with cancer. He was surrounded by his loving wife and five sons at the time of his passing.
Bryan Stormer, known by most as Stormer or Papa to his family, was born on August 14th, 1965 in Wisconsin to Karen and Ron Stormer. His family moved to Plentywood when Stormer was in elementary school. While growing up in Plentywood he spent his time playing football (he was a proud member of the 1981 state championship team) and working for Blue Rock Pepsi Distribution. During this time his mother married Steve Hammer, who became the man Stormer would call his father. Steve taught Stormer many woodworking and mechanic skills that would later be passed on to his sons.
Stormer met the love of his life, Colleen Kelly, in 1987 while attending Eastern Montana College in Billings. Colleen was a basketball player and Stormer was working at the front desk of the gym. She was constantly looking to get extra practice and shoot around so he would keep the gym open late for her. They got engaged on Valentine’s Day and married on St. Patrick’s Day in 1990. They moved to Melstone and began their teaching and coaching careers together. In 1995, they moved to Wolf Point where Stormer continued to teach high school math and received a National Teacher of the Year award. Stormer and Colleen moved out to the farm in 1996 and they worked hard to make it a great place for their boys to grow up. He built forts and a sandbox, made wooden swords and guns, mowed a football field and motorcycle track, and every year planted over 500 trees. Stormer loved to help others throughout his life and he was involved in coaching track, basketball, football, cross country, and wrestling. He had the wonderful gift of being able to talk and connect with everyone he met. He truly enjoyed the success of others and wanted the best for them. He taught for 25 years and retired in 2015 so that he could spend more time with his family.
The pride and joy of Stormer’s life was his five sons. He always told his sons his purpose as a father was to see to their education, safety, and health. Mission accomplished. All five of his sons have given their lives to Jesus and are faithful followers of God and are either married, engaged, or dating strong Christian women. All five of his sons went on to higher education at places such as Minot State, Harvard, Stanford, Montana Tech, Messiah, and Oregon State getting multiple degrees, a masters, and a doctorate. He taught his boys the value of working smart and he always had a plan for getting a project done. Stormer was a hero to his sons and seemed to have knowledge about everything they asked him. He could always be relied upon by his sons to provide advice whether it be construction, school, wrestling or life itself. He will be missed greatly.
Stormer is survived by his wife Colleen, sons Flynn (Kristen), Rico (Nicole), Quincy (Christina), Lincoln (Kennedy), Krayle (Addy), mother Karen, brother Bob (Lori), godson Randon, and niece Shelby and stepmom Kitty Hammer. He is preceded in death by his stepdad Steve Hammer.
A visitation will be held on Thursday, March 14, 2024, from 3:00 p.m. to 6:00 p.m. at Stevenson & Son’s Funeral Home in Circle, MT. Funeral services will be held on Friday, March 15, 2024, at 2:00PM at the Faith Assembly of God Church in Circle, MT. Interment will follow in the Riverview Cemetery.