Wayne Stromberg

Wayne E. (Chick) Stromberg, 89, of Crosslake, passed away peacefully on August 18, 2012, at Good Samaritan-Bethany, Brainerd. He was born January 17, 1923 to Ernst and Josephine (Anderson) Stromberg in Otho Township, Webster County, Iowa, not far from his home town of Fort Dodge.

Wayne graduated from Fort Dodge High School and was attending Junior College when he was called to serve his country. He loved to fly! He obtained his pilot's license while still in high school, but could not become a combat pilot in the military because of his eyesight. So he became an airplane and engine mechanic in the army during World War II, serving in the Aleutian Islands and the South Pacific. Wayne was extremely proud of his service in the 7th Infantry during World War II, and had many memories of the military campaigns and the men with whom he served.

After the war, Wayne was a partner with his brother, Loyl, in the family business headquartered in Fort Dodge, Stromberg's Hatchery. He married Helen Becker in 1946, and they lived in Fort Dodge and raised their family there. Wayne belonged to the local gun club and enjoyed competing with the other members and clubs on the target range. Wayne and Helen moved to Crosslake, Minnesota in 1980, where they enjoyed life with friends and family at their lake home. Wayne had been coming to the Whitefish Chain of Lakes since he was a boy in the 1930's and has loved the area all his life.
Helen passed in 1996. He married Jeanne Martin of Crosslake in 1999.
Wayne enjoyed traveling, reading, watching the Twins and Vikings, and spending time with family and friends. He and Jeanne enjoyed winters on the gulf in Alabama where they had many friends. He was a member of Crosslake Lutheran Church and enjoyed working with the men's group at Camp Knutson. As much as Wayne loved Minnesota and the lakes and the northwoods, he remained an Iowa Hawkeye!
Wayne is survived by his wife of 13 years, Jeanne; sister Bettie Snyder of Brainerd; sister-in-law Betty Stromberg of Mesa, Arizona; children Linda Rhea of Iowa City, Iowa, Bruce (Kris) Stromberg of Lake Bluff, Illinois, Kathy (Ivan) Millard of Crosslake, Steve Martin of Minnetonka, Connie (Steven) Johnson of Houston, Texas and Roger (Peggy) Martin of Forest City, Iowa; grandchildren Krista (Ken) Miller, Bill (Katie) Stromberg, Jason Rhea, Sarah (Travis) Ostroviak, Paul (Steffanie) Millard, Erik (Stephanie) Johnson, Lauren Martin; five great-grandchildren and many friends. He was preceded in death by his parents, his wife Helen and brothers Gale and Loyl.
Friends may celebrate Wayne's life on Saturday, August 25th, 11:00 am at Crosslake Lutheran Church, Crosslake. Visitation will begin at 10:00 am. A luncheon at the church will be provided following the service. Interment will be private at the Otho Cemetery, Otho, Iowa. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be directed to Camp Knutson or Crosslake Lutheran Church.

Arrangements have been entrusted to Brenny Funeral Chapel in Crosslake, MN.