Donald Strom

Donald E. Strom, 96 year old resident of Little Falls, MN, passed away on Saturday, December 30, 2023 at Highland Senior Living in Little Falls, with his loving family at his side. A Mass of Christian Burial will be held at 11:30 AM on Friday, January 5, 2024 at St. Mary’s Catholic Church in Little Falls, with Fr. Ben Kociemba officiating. Burial will be at St. Mary’s parish cemetery. Visitation will be from 10:30 to 11:30 AM on Friday at the church. Caring for Donald and his family is the Shelley Funeral Chapel in Little Falls. Don Strom was born April 18, 1927 to the late Adolph and Fedilise Strom in Crookston, MN. His family moved to Swanville, MN from Red Lake Falls, and was married to Leola (Reinke) on July 1, 1950 in Swanville, MN. They raised their family in Swanville, Crookston, and Little Falls, MN. He was proud of his marriage of over 65 years. Donald worked from age 15 to retirement from the Northern Pacific/Burlington Northern RR. His interests beyond family, included many vegetable gardens and flowers, model trains, and some of his favorite hunting and fishing. In his later years as his health declined, he enjoyed adult coloring and puzzles, and the many visits from family members. Family was very important to him and he truly loved visits from his children, grandchildren, in-laws, and nieces and nephews. Donald also loved storytelling, and he was often surrounded at family reunions to hear his stories and hear his laughter. He once said about that large family, that he loved every one of them. He was so loved and admired, as the Patriarch of the Strom family for many years. His love and pride in his family will be so missed. Donald was preceded in death by his beloved wife, Leola (Reinke); his daughter, Gina and son-in-law, Henry Gruidl; 7 brothers, (Joseph, Harold, Hubert, Edwin, Allen, Bobby (Clarence) and Raymond; and 5 sisters, Margaret, Genevieve, Madonna, Carol and Patrice. The heavenly gate was very crowded when he arrived and with so many huggers. He is survived by his children, Gail (John) Pinola of Hudson, WI. Holly (James) Miller of Coon Rapids, MN, Denise (Mark) Kaiser of Crookston, MN, Gary (Rachel) of St. Cloud, MN, Angie (David) Waldvogel of Little Falls, MN, Douglas (Patti) Strom of Centerville, MN, and Glen (Sandy) Strom of Albert Lea, MN; 28 grandchildren, 33 great-grandchildren, and 3 great-great-grandchildren; in-laws, Valerie (Dave) Sobania, and Beatrice Golombecki of Swanville, MN, Ramona Voltin, and Alfred (Pat) Reinke of Little Falls, MN, Joyce Strom of Little Falls, LaVonne Strom of Illinois, and Andrea Strom of New York State, and many nieces and nephews. The family would like to thank the staff at Highland Sr and St. Croix Hospice for their kind and compassionate care.

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Donald Strom

April 18, 1927 - December 30, 2023