Decendant of Edna Byrle Sturm, daughter of Arlando Sturm, son of James Wesley Sturm, son of Henry Sturm, son of Nicholas Sturm, and on back to Sebastian Sturm. _________________________________________________________________________ MYRNA SASSER Myrna Karleen Sasser, died peacefully at home on Aug. 6, 2006, with family by her side. She was 70. The younger of two children, Miss. Sasser was born Jan. 28, 1936, near Enterprise, Oregon to Edna Byrle Sturm Sasser and Foy A. Sasser. In the fall of 1941, her family moved to New Plymouth, Idaho, where she received her elementary and secondary education. Following her high school graduation, Miss Sasser enrolled in Nampa Business College in Nampa, Idaho. She then worked as a legal secretary for attorneys in Boise, Idaho, and Eugene, Oregon. Miss Sasser was only 20 years old when she went from New Plymouth, Idaho, to Washington, D.C. to work for U.S. Senator Frank Church. Her mentor was Verda Barnes, Senator Church's legendary administrative assistant. Senator Church's widow, Bethine praised Miss Sasser's work, noting that the "Verda and Myrna" team "ran like clockwork." In the 1960s, Myrna was an active member of the Young Democrats of America and served as the YD's National Committeewoman from Idaho. In this capacity, she met with President John F. Kennedy in the Rose Garden and played a key role in President Lyndon Johnson's 1964 inaugural. She also made many friends throughout the country, some of which remained friends for life. A member of Senator Church's staff throughout his tenure in the Senate, Miss Sasser held many positions in the senator's office. She was, perhaps, most widely recognized as an expert at helping Idahoans with their individual problems with the federal government. From 1978 until 1980, she served as Senator Church's administrative assistant, supervising one of the most respected offices on Capitol Hill. Throughout much of the 1980s and early 1990s, she worked as executive secretary for the Idaho State Democratic Party, where she continued her efforts to elect men and women of principle and ability to public office. Until days before her death, Democratic candidates, knowing of her great knowledge of Idaho politics, continued to seek her counsel. >From 1991-94, Myrna served as the chief caseworker in Larry LaRocco's Congressional office. She was described by Governor Cecil D. Andrus as "an icon of Idaho politics," Miss Sasser was preceded in death by her parents. She is survived by her brother, Norman Duane Sasser of Winston; her niece Karleen Sasser Aichele and husband Patrick Aichele; her great nieces Madison Aichele and McKenna Aichele, all of Portland; many cousins and numerous friends. Miss Sasser requested that there be no ceremony upon her death. Burial will be at the Enterprise Cemetery in Enterprise, Oregon at a later date.