John Stromberg

John Arthur Stromberg was born to Arthur and Kate (Pratt) Stromberg on February 4, 1925 in Valentine, NE. He passed away on March 11, 2011, at the age of 86, at the Perham Memorial Nursing Home in Perham. John served in the United States Navy from January 8, 1944 to May 6, 1946. After he returned to the states, John and Eleanor Rock were united in marriage on July 20, 1947 in Egeland, ND. He retired from US West, formerly Northwestern Bell, on February 28, 1990, after over 42 years of service. He started his career in September 1947 as a lineman at Fergus Falls. After working construction, installation and maintenance, and Central Office Equipment assignments, he was named Construction Foreman in the St. Cloud district. Following assignment, he was Construction Foreman at Elk River, Central Office Supervisor at Brainerd, Service Supervisor and Manager at Wadena, and then transferred to Fergus Falls as Manager for Fergus Falls, Battle Lake and Henning. During his career, John was active in community affairs. He held offices in the Lions Club at Brainerd, Fergus Falls, and Wadena, where he was President. He was also President of the Wadena Chamber of Commerce, along with being involved with the, Aurora Masonic Lodge in Brainerd, Telephone Pioneers, Wadena County Zoning, Elks Club, VFW, and United Methodist Church. He was an avid sports fan, and enjoyed reading and traveling. John was preceded in death by his parents Arthur and Kate; son Greg; brothers Jack, and Roy “R.G.”; sisters Mary Hemmelgarn and Agnes Happel. He is survived by his wife of 63 years, Eleanor of Perham; sons Doug (Jeannie) of Wadena, and Steven of Eden Prairie; daughter Linda (Dave) Campbell of Eden Prairie; daughter-in-law Sue Stromberg of Maple Grove; 11 grandchildren & 10 great-grandchildren; brother James (Judy) of Denver, CO; and many nieces and nephews. The family extends their deepest gratitude for the wonderful care given to John at the Perham Memorial Nursing Home. The nurses and staff were gracious and he received extraordinary care for the past 3½ years. Funeral services were held at 11:00 a.m. on March 17, 2011 at the United Methodist Church in Wadena, with Pastor Shirley Nelson officiating. Honorary pallbearers were John’s granddaughters Tracy Stromberg, Aubrey Stromberg, Lauryn Stromberg, Stephanie Wood and Valerie Rittenbach, and all of his former telephone company co-workers. Active pallbearers were John’s grandsons Joe, Kevin, Casey, and Tim Campbell, Mike and Bryan Stromberg, Paul Wood, and Travis Rittenbach. Burial was in the Wadena Cemetery.

John Stromberg

February 4, 1925 - March 11, 2011