Clayton W. Strolberg, age 74, of Cokato, died peacefully Thursday, Dec. 20, 2012, at the Dassel Lakeside Health Care Center, surrounded by his family.
He was born Dec. 30, 1937. to George and Elvira (Carlson) Strolberg. Clayton was baptized at home, and attended Sunday school and confirmation classes at the Cokato Apostolic Lutheran Church.
A 1955 graduate of Dassel High School, Clayton joined the US Navy March 6, 1956. He performed faithful and honorable service, stationed in Hawaii.
Clayton was united in marriage to Judith Saari Oct. 14, 1961, at Redeemer Lutheran Church in Minneapolis. This union was blessed with three children, Suzanne, Steven, and Sally. Clayton and Judith were happily married for 51 years.
Before joining his father, George, in the family farming operation, Clayton worked for Russel Morris as a backhoe operator, digging drainage tile. He also enjoyed winter pastime jobs, trucking seed corn for Haapala Seed, and raising chickens for Erickson Poultry.
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.” Whether it was planting in the spring or harvesting in the fall, or all the jobs in between, Clayton took pride in being a good farmer. He enjoyed his tractors, trucks, and machinery; and long hours and hard work were his claim to success.
In his free time, Clayton was an avid snowmobiler; his first snowmobile being a 1965 Ski Do.
Honest in all things, true to God, with love for family, friends, and neighbors, and a true appreciation of nature and the land that he worked with much pride and accomplishment; all describe how Clayton lived his life.
He was a member of the North Crow River Church in Knapp, and had a strong faith in the Lord.
Clayton is survived by his wife, Judy; children, Steve (Ramona) Strolberg, and Sally (Ted) Grangroth, all of Cokato; and grandchildren Carl Eckhoff, Levi Strolberg, Luke Strolberg, Linsey Strolberg, and Sam and Wyatt Aubol.
He was preceded in death by his parents; a daughter, Suzanne; son-in-law Jim Aubol; grandson Thomas Strolberg Aubol; and a host of uncles, aunts, and cousins.
A celebration of Clayton’s life took place Saturday, Dec. 29 at the North Crow River Lutheran Church of Cokato, followed by interment in the church cemetery.
Arrangements were by Swanson-Peterson Funeral Home of Cokato; www.swansonpeterson.com.
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