Louise E. Strom

Louise E. StromAge 92, passed away Monday afternoon, October 15, 2007 at the Oak Crest Retirement Center, DeKalb. After many months of declining health; of patiently gleaning the best from each day, Louise died as she lived: with quiet faith in the purpose and promise of her Savior. BORN / EARLY YEARHer life began on March 13, 1915 in Genoa Township, DeKalb County, IL where she was born the daughter of Henry and Hannah Johnson. Her dad was a dairy farmer and in 1917 they moved to Burlington Twp., Kane County where they were tenants until 1921 when they purchased their own farm in nearby Plato Twp. Following graduation from Plato High School, Louise entered the Sherman Hospital School of nursing, Elgin, where she became a registered nurse. After graduation she worked in hospitals in Denver, CO, Fresno, CA, and Portland, OR. During WWII, Louise joined the Army and spent three years working at Percy Jones General Hospital in Battle Creek, MI. She was discharged from the Army as a First Lieutenant Army Nurse. With quiet pride she forever kept her Army uniform perfectly pressed in her closet near a letter from Harry Truman on the dresser. Returning home, she joined the staff at Delnor Hospital, St. Charles where she worked until her retirement. Not unlike the many veterans for whom she had cared, Louise never talked much about her experiences, but she would chronicle life with a "Kodak passion". Her simple camera captured thousands of precious "moments" in her life, moments that could not be stolen from her memory. Her camera was always in her purse and she was always prepared to snap a shot. In 1958 Louise married Otto Strom of Lily Lake. They had known each other since their youth but life had taken them on separate journeys until Valentines Day that year when they were wed and their journeys became one. They made their home on Lees Road until 1962 when they moved briefly to Elburn before returning to the family homestead on Burlington Road in 1966. They both enjoyed travel visiting Sweden several times as well as the sights in nearly forty states. The annual Grace Lutheran Church of Lily Lake, "Road Runners Trip", was a favorite activity every fall. When her Valentine passed away in 1989 Louise remained on the farm. Her cats were her constant companions as were her collections of Swedish souvenirs. In 1997 she moved to Southmoor Estates, DeKalb where she continued to live independently until declining health required some "T.L.C." in 2005. A proud but grateful Louise came to make her home with her former neighbor and nephew, Lee Strom, his wife Twyla and their family until she was able to live independently once again as a resident of Oak Crest, DeKalb. An agile mind, an adventuresome spirit, and a faithful heart, Louise was always proud and thankful to be independent yet she was securely anchored with love to family and friends; to God and Country.Even in her waning days, the irrepressible Louise held on until everyone was home from their travels. Then, peacefully, serenely she left for one more adventure; a heavenly reunion with her beloved family and friends. SURVIVORS She now leaves:One sister in law, Edna Strom of Lily Lake, IL,A cousin, Helen Fields of Woodstock, ILA cousin, Gunvor Daveby of Edsbruk, SwedenMany nieces and nephews including:Rianne Leaf of Minneapolis, MNWarren (Patricia) Strom of Maple Park, IL, Dr. John (Barbara) Strom of Dixon, IL,Leland (Twyla) Strom of Washington, D.C.,Fred (Mary) Bolwahnn of Albuquerque, NM,Louis (Joan) Bolwahnn of Plymouth, MN and Richard Bolwahnn of Wheaton, IL.Many great nieces and nephewsIn addition she leaves a close family of friends who will long remember her soft spoken "Tack sa mycket" or "thanks-a-million" -for the memories. PRECEDED She now joins her loving husband and parents, her sister, Esther, sister-in-law Agnes Bolwahnn and a brother-in-law, Elof Strom, who preceded her in death. VISITATION / FUNERAL Raised and baptized at the Country Covenant Church, near her home, Louise and Otto were both long time members of the Grace Lutheran Church, Lily Lake, where friends will gather to say good-bye and to remember the Louise they loved.MEMORIAL A memorial has been established in Louise’s name to benefit Grace Lutheran Church and Disabled Veterans. Memorials checks may be made to the Louise Strom Memorial and mailed in care of P.O. Box 66, Elburn, IL 60119. Tributes and memories may also be forwarded to the family at the same address or through her obituary at www.conleycare.com.

Friends may call from 2-2:45 PM on Monday, October 22, 2007. A funeral service to celebrate her life will follow at 3:00 PM Ernst Rex, pastor of the church, will officiate.

Interment will follow at Baker Cemetery, Rt. 47 near Burlington Rd.