Robert D. Strandberg

Robert D. Strandberg, 86, passed away July 5, with his wife of 61 years by his side. Robert was born in Crosby, North Dakota, to Fred and Carrie Viola (Basham) Strandberg, growing up in Minot, North Dakota. He started work with the Great Northern Railroad at a tender age of 14, with a break in service to serve two years in the military stationed in Germany. His job moved him to St. Paul, Minnesota, as well as Minot, North Dakota, where he met the love of his life, Norma V. Peterson. After marrying May 16, 1953, he was transferred to Havre, Montana, and then to Spokane, Washington, in 1969. He retired from the Burlington Northern in 1982.

He was a warm and loving husband, father, grandfather and great-grandfather, who cared deeply for his family and always put them first. He enjoyed camping and fishing and often went fishing when he lived in Montana. He built his own home in Havre, and took a lot of pride in his home in Spokane as well. He enjoyed sitting on his back deck and listening to music and looking out into his yard. He worked hard and instilled that trait in his children. There never seemed to be any task that he couldn't do, helping family and friends without fail.

Robert is survived by his wife, Norma Strandberg; siblings, Wanda Nissen, Delores Pederson, Fritjof Strandberg and Richard Strandberg; a brother, Edward, preceded him in death.

He is survived by children, Yvonne (Dave) Ellis, Roberta Lund, Fred Strandberg, Vicky (Juan) Rivera and Amy (Jeff) Utt; grandchildren, Sarah Nelson, Timothy Nelson, Wyatt (Samantha) Lund, Wendy Lund, Nicholas Strandberg, Matthew Strandberg, Juan Rivera, Sean Rivera, Robert Rivera, Korynn Utt and Micheal Utt; great-grandchildren, Kaylee, Dylan, Ayden, Simon, Madison, Alyson, Monte, Morgan, Miley and Delilah.

In lieu of flowers, if you wish to make a donation in his name it can be made to American Parkinson Disease Association http://www.waparkinsons.org/get_involved/ donations.html or The ALS Association Evergreen Chapter http://webwa.alsa.org/site/ PageServer/?pagename=WA_homepage