Cliff Strom

Cliff was born in Brandon, MN to John & Julia Strom on August 31, 1916. His family of 5 brothers (Roy, Vernon, Kenneth, Francis, Raymond) and 2 sisters (Evelyn and Joyce) made for a busy household. His school days were spent at District 48. He hauled livestock to St. Paul for his brother, Roy. He attended Dunwoody Industrial Institute in Minneapolis, taking welding classes prior to moving to Milwaukee to work at a civil defense factory, making parts for ships prior to World War II. During his time in Milwaukee he rode his Harley Davidson motorcycle in a group that included Roy Rodgers. Cliff then joined the Merchant Marines and transported British and American troops and supplies between England, and Juno, France during the invasion of Normandy. He also sailed on missions to other countries including New Zealand, India and Africa. Cliff married Viola Johnson of Garfield on June 14, 1947. Cliff and Viola worked side by side as they owned and operated the Brandon School buses and Sand & Gravel. They started Strom Construction with a single Dozer. He and Viola enjoyed many travels with family and friends through the years. He also enjoyed hunting as well as fishing on Big Chippewa Lake. Time spent with his family was special to him and he looked forward to holidays, especially the annual 4th of July celebrations at his home on the lake. Cliff died peacefully in his home surrounded by family on November 19th, 2013. He is survived by 4 children, Mary (Dana) Baker, Paul (Vicki) Strom, Elaine Strom all of Brandon, MN and Julie (Tim) Tello of Bismarck, ND and 7 grandchildren, Brooke (Rich) Mastellar of Albertville, Heidi Baker of Minneapolis, Angela (Troy) Mennitt of Sandy, Utah, John Strom of Columbia Heights, MN, Jason (Sara) Strom of Alexandria, VA, Tiffany Tello (fianc� Peter Moore) of San Francisco, and Matthew Tello of Fort Collins, CO, and three great-grandchildren: Mikayla Mastellar, Gretchen Mennitt and Samual Strom. He is also survived by his sister, Evelyn Myrin, of Alexandria, MN and sister-in-laws, Mavis Vandegrift of Montgomery Village, MD, Norma Strom Scherrer of Brandon. He was preceded in death by Viola in 1998 and by his brothers, Roy, Vernon, Raymond, Kenneth and Francis; his sister Joyce, and his parents John and Julia Strom. Funeral services were held on Saturday, November 23, 2013, 10:00 a.m. at Chippewa Lutheran Church in Brandon. Burial was at Chippewa Cemetery. Arrangements were with the Anderson Funeral Home.