1918
LeRoy
2008
LeRoy Strei
January 15, 1918 — January 12, 2008
LeRoy Urban Strei, was born on January 15, 1918 in Bellingham, Minnesota; he was the son of William and Caroline (Roth) Strei. As an infant he moved with his family to Odessa, Minnesota, and later attended the Odessa Public School, graduating in 1937.
Following his graduation from high school, he worked as a service station attendant in Clarkfield, Mn. He also operated Strei's Trucking Service, hauling grain, coal and lumber for several years. From 1952 to 1956 he was employed by Pflueger's Dairy, after which he became the proprietor of Strei's Produce, following in the footsteps of his father. He also worked for Big Stone County and the Big Stone Canning Factory before beginning his employment as a rural mail carrier for Odessa and Correll in 1968, enjoying each stop along the way. He retired from the post office in the fall of 1986.
LeRoy's years of employment were interrupted by World War II, when he served with the United States Army as a Buck Sergeant with the 737th 1st Tank Battalion. His devotion to his country and the cause of freedom were rewarded with a bronze star and purple heart. He continued his connection with fellow comrades by attending army reunions and by his participation in the local American Legion.
LeRoy was baptized as an infant at the Trinity Lutheran Church in Odessa. It was also there that he was confirmed on March 20, 1932. He continued to be a devoted member there throughout his lifetime, having served on the church council, working as the church janitor, singing in the choir and the GAIL quartet, serving as the cemetery sexton and calling the congregation to services by ringing the church bell.
It was also at the Trinity Lutheran Church where he was united in marriage to Grace Olson on October 5, 1947. As a couple they made their home in Odessa for 57 years, before moving to Hancock, Mn in the fall of 2004. LeRoy and Grace were blessed to celebrate 60 years together in October.
LeRoy's life was neither defined by his employment nor his community involvement, but by his character and faith. He enjoyed politics, singing, dancing and people. He loved to laugh and enjoyed making life fun for others. He was deeply loved and will be greatly missed by those who knew him.
LeRoy entered the Lakeview Good Samaritan Care Center on January 12, 2007, where he was lovingly cared for until the time of his passing from this life into eternity on Saturday, January 12, 2008. On January 15th he will celebrate in heaven his 90 years of life.
He is survived by his wife: Grace Strei of Hancock, MN; his daughter: Joycelyn Dunn and fiance' Michael Bergeland of Alexandria, MN; his son: Gary (Lois) Strei of Hancock, MN; 6 grandchildren: Michelle Edwardson of Denver, CO; Christine Dunn of Los Angeles, CA; Matthew Dunn of Denver, CO; Jessica (Chris) Kerrigan of Westfield, IN; Melissa Strei of Nashville, TN; and Derek Strei of Cannon Beach, OR; 2 great grandchildren: Taylor Edwardson and Madison Kerrigan; two brothers-in-law: Warren Kennedy and Jack Lyons and several nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by his parents, two brothers: William Strei and Leander Strei; and three sisters: Luella Sivertsen, LaVerne Bakeberg, and Ruth Kennedy.
Following his graduation from high school, he worked as a service station attendant in Clarkfield, Mn. He also operated Strei's Trucking Service, hauling grain, coal and lumber for several years. From 1952 to 1956 he was employed by Pflueger's Dairy, after which he became the proprietor of Strei's Produce, following in the footsteps of his father. He also worked for Big Stone County and the Big Stone Canning Factory before beginning his employment as a rural mail carrier for Odessa and Correll in 1968, enjoying each stop along the way. He retired from the post office in the fall of 1986.
LeRoy's years of employment were interrupted by World War II, when he served with the United States Army as a Buck Sergeant with the 737th 1st Tank Battalion. His devotion to his country and the cause of freedom were rewarded with a bronze star and purple heart. He continued his connection with fellow comrades by attending army reunions and by his participation in the local American Legion.
LeRoy was baptized as an infant at the Trinity Lutheran Church in Odessa. It was also there that he was confirmed on March 20, 1932. He continued to be a devoted member there throughout his lifetime, having served on the church council, working as the church janitor, singing in the choir and the GAIL quartet, serving as the cemetery sexton and calling the congregation to services by ringing the church bell.
It was also at the Trinity Lutheran Church where he was united in marriage to Grace Olson on October 5, 1947. As a couple they made their home in Odessa for 57 years, before moving to Hancock, Mn in the fall of 2004. LeRoy and Grace were blessed to celebrate 60 years together in October.
LeRoy's life was neither defined by his employment nor his community involvement, but by his character and faith. He enjoyed politics, singing, dancing and people. He loved to laugh and enjoyed making life fun for others. He was deeply loved and will be greatly missed by those who knew him.
LeRoy entered the Lakeview Good Samaritan Care Center on January 12, 2007, where he was lovingly cared for until the time of his passing from this life into eternity on Saturday, January 12, 2008. On January 15th he will celebrate in heaven his 90 years of life.
He is survived by his wife: Grace Strei of Hancock, MN; his daughter: Joycelyn Dunn and fiance' Michael Bergeland of Alexandria, MN; his son: Gary (Lois) Strei of Hancock, MN; 6 grandchildren: Michelle Edwardson of Denver, CO; Christine Dunn of Los Angeles, CA; Matthew Dunn of Denver, CO; Jessica (Chris) Kerrigan of Westfield, IN; Melissa Strei of Nashville, TN; and Derek Strei of Cannon Beach, OR; 2 great grandchildren: Taylor Edwardson and Madison Kerrigan; two brothers-in-law: Warren Kennedy and Jack Lyons and several nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by his parents, two brothers: William Strei and Leander Strei; and three sisters: Luella Sivertsen, LaVerne Bakeberg, and Ruth Kennedy.