House 2009-2012 (District 4A); House 2013-2016 (District 5A); House 2019-2020 (District 5A)
Party when first elected: Democratic-Farmer-Labor
Counties Served: Beltrami, Cass, Hubbard, Itasca
Battle Creek High School, Iowa; Secondary; Bemidji State University; B.S.; Biology Major, Chemistry Minor
Spouse: Patty Jean Wilson (she died in September 2007, before he served); Widower; listed as married in 2012 Election Directory. Children: Eight children: John Sterling III, Allisa, and Dacia Family Members Who Have Served in the Minnesota Legislature:
He grew up in Battle Creek, Iowa.