Donald Strehlo, age 80, of Isanti was called home to his heavenly father on June 26, 2015, surrounded by his family at home.
Donald Carl Fredrick Strehlo was born on October 26, 1934 in Pemberton, Minnesota, to Adolph and Cecilia (Proehl) Strehlo. He was baptized and confirmed at St. John's Lutheran Church in Mapleton, Minnesota. Don graduated from Pemberton High School in 1952 as valedictorian of his class. He was enlisted in the Army from 1953 to 1956. Don went to Mankato State College until 1959. He worked at the downtown Minneapolis Post Office for thirty years from 1960-1990. On April 15, 1961, he married Norma Elaine Bartsch at Immanuel Lutheran Church in Mankato. They made their home in Minneapolis until February 1962 when they moved to rural Isanti. Don served as Sunday School teacher, helped with confirmation classes and was treasurer at St. John Lutheran Church-Weber. He enjoyed Bible studies and teaching confirmation classes at Trinity Lutheran Church in St. Francis. After retirement he enjoyed bowling and visiting in both nursing homes in Cambridge.
He was preceded in death by his parents, Adolph and Cecilia; parents-in-law, Adolph and Lillian Bartsch; sister, Marge Gooding; brother, James Strehlo; nephew, David Strehlo; brother-in-law, Marvin Rosin.
He is survived by his wife, Norma of Isanti; six children, Donald (Laurie) Strehlo of Spring Lake Park, Randolph (Amy) Strehlo of Foley, Keith (Jennifer) Strehlo of Braham, Peggy (J. David) Murphy of Monroe, Wisconsin, Dean (Melisa) Strehlo of Minneapolis, Kathryn (Derrick) Bell of Deer River; 15 grandchildren, Nicole (Nick) Brong, Dustin (Stephanie), Natalie, Joshua, Karl, Abigail, Jeb, Josiah, Trig, Seth, and Olivia Strehlo, Mitchell Figi, Kaitlyn and Elizabeth Murphy, and Logan Bell; three great-grandchildren, Emma and Evan Brong, Gage Strehlo and one great-grandchild expected in August; sister, Dorothy Rosin of Nicollet; brother, Cecil (Penny) Strehlo of Mapleton.
Funeral services 11 a.m. Wednesday, July 1, 2015 at Trinity Lutheran Church in St. Francis with Rev. Timothy Vaughn officiating. Visitation will be one hour prior to the service at church and also from 4-8 p.m. on Tuesday, June 30th at Strike Funeral Home – Isanti Chapel. Serving as organist is Carol Hamphill and John Lang as soloist. Interment will be in St. John Lutheran Cemetery, Weber.