David C. Strom Obituary

David Carl Strom passed away Tuesday, January 31, 2023, from complications of pulmonary fibrosis.

David was born April 16, 1934, to Harold and Myrtle (Johnson) Strom in Duluth, Minnesota. He was the third of four children. He graduated from Alborn School in 1952, attended college at the University of Minnesota-Duluth, and later received his Masters Degree in Hospital Administration from George Washington University

In 1960, David married Mary Stanke and together they raised three sons, Jim, Eric, and Andrew. The family moved frequently during those early years, eventually settling in Dubuque, Iowa. David would fondly recall the times the boys went snow skiing or boating on the Mississippi and holiday parties with friends. His three boys were involved with Boy Scouts and spare time was spent with model rockets and pine wood derby cars.

Before David’s career in hospital administration, he served proudly in the U.S. Army Reserves. His life’s path moved him into property management and then the State of Iowa as a field representative in the Department of Agriculture.

In 1992, David met Lana Nichols at the University True Value Hardware Store in Des Moines. Their first date was telling stories over coffee and pie at Baker’s Square. They married in Kansas City, Missouri in February 2000.

David was a member of St. John’s Lutheran Church.

David was a life long Vikings fan and had season tickets for many years. Sunday games would start with early morning trips to Minneapolis in time for breakfast at the Sunnyside Up Café, followed by football, then late night trips home. Great pleasure was also found in spending weekends at his childhood home in Prosit, Minnesota, visiting with family and friends at the local Clip Joint, and spending evenings around the campfire at the bunkhouse.

Those that knew David enjoyed his lively, quick-witted, political conversations. He was always abreast of the latest political news and available to share his opinions. He was proud of his email address (David.Strom@Reagan.com.)
He enjoyed his martinis dirty, but dry with more than one olive and made any encounter an event. David loved his family and friends and will be remembered as a very giving and loving person to those in need.

Surviving are his wife, Lana; sons, Jim (Desiree), Eric (Lori) and Andy (Marlene); his brother, John; sisters, Rosemary and Merna; five granddaughters, Jenny (Kevin) Gronseth, Nicole, Lizzie, Edie and Molly; three grandsons, Mark, Dom and Matthew; and the mother of his children, Mary Strom.

The family extends appreciation and thanks to the health care professionals with Unity Point, The Bridges, and first responders. A special thank you goes to Jake with the Ankeny Police Department.

The family will receive friends 5:00-7:00 p.m. Friday, February 10, 2023 at Iles Dunn’s Chapel in Des Moines. Services will be 11:00 a.m. Saturday, February 11, 2023 also at Dunn’s. Following the service, please join the family for lunch at Smokey Ds BBQ, 5055 NW 2nd Street to celebrate David’s life with good food, stories and laughter.

To honor David’s patriotism and military service, memorial contributions can be made to Wounded Warrior Project or the Gary Sinise Foundation.

For those unable to attend, the funeral will be livestreamed. A link will appear on David’s obituary page at www.IlesCares.com, where you may also leave online condolences.

Arrangements by Iles Dunn's Chapel.

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