Clayton W. Strolberg, age 74, of Cokato, diedpeacefully at the Dassel Lakeside Health Care Center on December 20, 2012, surrounded by his family. Love, Peace, and God Bless His memory. In lieu of flowers; memorials are preferred to Cokato or Dassel Volunteer Fire Depts. Clayton was born on December 30, 1937 to George and Elvira(Carlson) Strolberg. He was
baptized at home and attended Sunday school and confirmation classes at the Cokato Apostolic Lutheran Church. Clayton graduated from Dassel High School in 1955. Clayton joined the U.S. Navy March 6, 1956. He served with faithful and honorable service, stationed in Hawaii. Clayton was united in marriage to Judith Saari on October 14, 1961 at Redeemer Lutheran Church in Minneapolis. This union was blessed with three children, Suzanne, Steven and Sally. Before joining his Father George in the Family Farming operation, Clayton worked for Russel Morris as a Back Hoe operator, digging drainage tile. He also enjoyed, winter pass time jobs, trucking Seed Corn for Haapala Seed, and Chickens for Erickson Poultry. For fun he was an avid snowmobiler. His first snowmobile was a 1965 Ski Do. But if you were to ask Clayton to describe himself, he would say, “I am a farmer, farming is my business, it’s what I do best.” If it was planting in the Spring or Harvesting in the Fall or all the jobs in between, it didn’t matter he took pride in being a good farmer. He enjoyed his tractors, trucks and machinery. Even if they broke down, he diligently fixed them up so they would run again. Long hours and hard work was his claim to success. He also enjoyed trucking, to him that was a vacation; hauling sweet corn, or seed corn, or his own grain; he considered it a social time for getting out visiting with the guys, the many friends and acquaintances he met along the way. Being Honest and True was the way he Lead his life. Honest in all things, True to God. Love for family, friends, neighbors, and a true appreciation of nature, and the land that he worked with much pride and accomplishment. Clayton was a true farmer, a loving husband, father andgrandfather with a strong faith in the Lord. Clayton was a member of the North Crow River Church. Clayton and Judith were happily married for 51 years, all of those spent farming, and being a part of the community. Clayton is survived by his wife, Judy, children, Steve (Ramona) Strolberg,and Sally (Ted) Grangroth all of Cokato, grandchildren, Carl Eckhoff, Levi Strolberg, Luke Strolberg, and Linsey Strolberg, along with Sam and Wyatt Aubol. Clayton is preceded in death by his parents, daughter Suzanne, son-in-law Jim Aubol, grandson, Thomas Strolberg Aubol, and a host of uncles, aunts, and cousins.
Memorial service: Saturday, December 29, 2012, 11:00 am at North Crow River Lutheran Church of Cokato.
Visitation: 1 hour prior to services at the church.
Interment: North Crow River Lutheran Cemetery immediately following service at church.