Wilbert "Bert" Strelow went to be with the Lord Friday, September 25, 2015 at GracePointe Crossings East after dealing with a stroke in 2011 and Parkinson's disease. He was 87 years old.
He was born June 1, 1928 at Hibbing, MN, the fourth child of Henry and Mabel (Walberg) Strelow. The family moved to Greeley and finally settled on the farm northwest of Braham. Wilbert attended the Rice Lake country school and graduated from Braham High School in 1946. He completed a Mechanical Drafting course at Pine Tech from 1969-1970.
On September 27, 1952 he married the love of his life, Charlotte Sawyer, at Fish Lake Chapel, rural Mora. The start of family was soon to follow. Son Bruce was born in 1953 with Bradd and Barry a few years later completing the 'My Three Sons' family. Family and relationships were always a priority for Bert. Free time revolved around outings, events and activities with siblings, cousins, church friends, neighbors and helping those who needed someone handy.
Bert lived for his Lord and will be remembered as a peacemaker, gentle, patient and one with a servant heart. He loved and served his family well. Bert was active in his church, serving as a deacon, Sunday school teacher, youth and AWANA leader, choir and quartet member. His heart of service was extended to the community as well. He served the City of Grasston as mayor, council member, volunteer fire chief, watchman and maintained city services with the help of several other men from the community. He and Charlotte coordinated Grasston Senior Dining several years.
Bert enjoyed being with family, Gospel quartet music, camping, fishing, deer hunting, baseball, motorcycles, and auto racing. In retirement he enjoyed being Mr. Fixit for those who needed it and spent extensive time in that role at several Bible camps.
Agriculture and farming were always part of his vocation. Working in a creamery, being a milk hauler, farmhand, and partsman for Dahlman Manufacturing and farm implement dealerships kept him close to his farming roots. Bert had an uncanny ability to recall numbers and mechanical detail. Throughout his 35+ years as a partsman he could recite part numbers and machinery model numbers off the top of his head.
He was preceded in death by parents; brothers, Kenneth (Norma) and George (Patricia); sister Virginia Smith; and granddaughter Julie Strelow.
Bert is survived by his wife of 63 years, Charlotte; sons, Bruce (Annie) of Spokane, WA, Bradd (Brenda) of Cannon Falls, MN, and Barry (Nancy) of Carver, MN; grandchildren, Kevin (Tina) Strelow, Cori Strelow, Kalie (Travis) Turgeon, Reid (Alexandra) Strelow, Jordan (Tiffany) Strelow, Joseph (fiance; Melissa) Strelow, Bryan Strelow, Erlyn Strelow, and Erwin Strelow; great-grandchildren, Dakota and Brayden Strelow, Addyson and Kellen Turgeon, Gus, Tell and Blaze Strelow; sister Lucille Rodin; and brother-in-law Glen Sawyer and family; many nieces, nephews, cousins, other relatives and friends.
The family would like to express many thanks to GracePointe Crossings and St. Croix Hospice for all of their support and kindness.
A memorial service will be held on Oct. 2, 2015 at the Stanchfield Baptist Church. Inurnment in the Grasston Baptist Cemetery. Arrangements are by the Rock Ingebrand Funeral Home of Braham. Condolences may be posted at www.aifuneralhome.com.