Obituary of Allen Eugene Strom

Allen Eugene Strom, 79, passed away on June 9, 2023, at the Franciscan Hospice House in University Place, Washington, with his son and daughter at his side.

Allen was born July 28, 1943, to Erling and Martha (Axelson) Strom in Mayville, North Dakota. Allen and his four siblings were raised on farmsteads in both Mayville and Northwood, ND, until he enlisted in the Army at age 17. He spent much of his military time stationed in Germany, where he learned among other things, “conversational German” and to ski in the Swiss Alps. After his honorable discharge, he returned to North Dakota and married Lorraine (Aamold) from Portland, ND in November 1964. They lived in Northwood and gave birth to their son, Curtis, in 1965. With $300 in their pocket, they loaded their car and moved to Tacoma, Washington to find work and establish roots in 1967. Daughter Kathleen arrived in 1969 and Allen graduated from the Carpenter Apprenticeship program in 1970. The fierce work ethic he developed as a child on the farmsteads, maintained throughout his 30+ year career and member of the local union. He was never “out-of-work,” because there is always work, if “you’re good, work hard and don’t complain.”

Apart from a year living in Escondido, CA in 1975, Allen and Lorraine raised their family in the outskirts of Orting, WA in a home he built by himself on enough acreage to keep him busy. In retirement, he and Lorraine, moved to Whitman Lake in Graham, WA, which they adored. He loved living on the water, tending to his koi pond, wood working and gardening. He enjoyed traveling which led to acquiring a place in Nicaragua where he was always encouraging family and friends to join him.

Many of Allen’s family and friends were gifted with his homemade lefse, donuts and rosettes each Christmas. Those who knew him well, knew his fondness for “making his rounds” to visit friends, family, and the Orting Eagles Club. What people may not know is Allen was very sentimental and he was a softy when it came to his pets, especially the sweet dachshunds he and Lorraine raised. He was a keepsake keeper, from cards he received for his confirmation at Gran Lutheran Church, photos from long ago, to home-made cards and letters written to him by his children, and certificates marking milestones in his life. He also made a scrapbook of his grandkids sporting event programs and pictures, so they would have them when he passed.  He saved newspaper articles about his siblings and parents sent to him from “back home” in North Dakota. In the later years, Allen’s possessions dwindled, but he kept these special memories together for years that moved with him to each new place.       

His witty, gruff sense of humor, his creative talents, blue eyes, and smile will be deeply missed by those who have survived him, his son, Curtis (Sara) Strom of Puyallup, WA; daughter, Kathleen (Tye) Holand of Lake Tapps, WA; his brother Larry (Diane) Strom of Northwood, ND; sister-in-law Mary Ellen Fjeld of Longmont, CO; Grandchildren Joseph Leinweber of Lake Tapps, WA; Leif (Savannah) Strom of Tacoma, WA moving to Charlotte, NC; Kasey (Hudson) Byorick of Spartanburg, SC; Carlie Strom of Boise, ID, and many nephews and nieces, and his beloved cat, Smokey Joe.

Allen is preceded in death by his wife of 43 years, Lorraine (Aamold) Strom, parents, Erling and Martha Strom, siblings, Clarence Fjeld; David (Clara) Fjeld; and Sharon (John) Holkesvig.

A graveside service will be held on Saturday, July 29, 2023, at 11 a.m. at the Aurdal Cemetery in Portland, N.D. led by Pastor Leon Philpot (if inclement weather arises, the service will be held at Bruflat Church, Portland, ND).  All friends and family are invited to the Senior Center in Portland, N.D.  following the service for lunch, stories, and celebrating Allen. Memorial contributions may be sent to American Hero Quilts; www.americanheroquilts.com.