This is a Message Board Post that is gatewayed to this mailing list. Surnames: Strate, Schilling, Krueger, Gausman, Liverett, Bjorklund, Larrabee, Smallidge, Wilson, Volkert, Lindquist, Brown, Sullwold, Boyd Classification: Obituary Message Board URL: http://boards.ancestry.com/mbexec/msg/rw/3FC.2ACI/2294 Message Board Post: Thursday, June 05, 2003 Russel C. Strate, 82 April 3, 1921 - May 26, 2003 Russel C. Strate of Roberts died peacefully at his home May 26 surrounded by his family after one month of being diagnosed with an aggressive leukemia (AML). Russ was born on April 3, 1921 in Woodbury, Minn., the son of Clarence and Florence (Schilling) Strate. Russ received his elementary schooling at District 27 in Woodbury. He would sometimes ride his pony to school and would start the fire to get the one-room school building warm. Russ’s deep interest in dairy farming started in his early teens. He was united in marriage to Marjorie Krueger May 5, 1951 at the Woodbury United Methodist Church. This union was blessed with children Daniel (died April 30, 1955), Arlen, Joel, and Lynn. Russ enjoyed his children and treasured spending time with them. He was ever so proud of their achievements and watching them mature into loving parents themselves while installing good moral beliefs as well as strong Christian faith. Russ’s gifted and great sense of humor was experienced by everyone whom he had contact with. He thoroughly enjoyed life and loved farming the land sensing God’s hand in it all. Woodbury was starting its growth when Russ realized the land couldn’t be farmed much longer. He and his family made Roberts their home in 1970 where they continued farming. Russ served on the board of directors of South St. Paul Oil Association (now Cenex) and was supervisor for Warren Township for several years. Thank you dear Lord for your love shown in many ways through Russ which will live in our hearts forever. Russ leaves to celebrate his life his loving wife of 52 years, Marjorie; sons, Arlen (Laurie) Strate of Roberts, Joel Strate of Roberts, and daughter Lynn Strate of Apple Valley. Russ will be greatly missed by his grandchildren Tawnya, Jonathan, Jacob, and Alex. He is also survived by his sister Bernice Gausman of Baldwin. Russ is preceded in death by his parents, son Daniel and sister Ruth Strate. Celebration of Life for Russ Strate will be 11 a.m. Friday May 30 at the Woodbury United Methodist Church. Pastor Rodney Liverett of Hammond’s United Methodist Church will officiate. Organist Patty Bjorklund will accompany congregational singing. Pianist will be Russ’s niece Barb Larrabee who will accompany the singing of Gene and Louise Smallidge. Postlude and prelude instrumental music will be played by Nathan, Jessica, and Leith Wilson. Burial will be in the church cemetery with casketbearers being Melvin Volkert, Roger Lindquist, Ken Brown, Tom Sullwold, Bill Krueger, and Bob Boyd. Visitation will be Thursday evening from 4 until 8 p.m. at the O’Connell Family Funeral Home in Hudson and one hour prior to the service at church on Friday. Memorials are preferred to Heartland Hospice and Homecare (P. O. Box 487) Hammond. Funeral services have been entrusted to the O’Connell Family Funeral Homes of Baldwin and Hudson. © 2003 New Richmond News - Reposted by permission http://www.newrichmond-news.com/Main.asp?SectionID=3&SubSectionID=54&ArticleID=6583