Donald Eugene Strelow
Donald Eugene Strelow
Donald Eugene Strelow died October 17, 2011, at Seasons Hospice of complications from brain cancer.
A public visitation will be held Wednesday, October 19th, from 4:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. at Macken Funeral Home in the River Park Chapel, Rochester. The funeral will be held at Redeemer Lutheran Church on October 20th, at 11:00 a.m. with the Rev. Dr. James Heining officiating. You may also visit one hour prior to the funeral service at the church. Burial will be held immediately following the service at Grandview Memorial Gardens in Rochester.
Born 3-10-1938 to Leonard and Linda (Wilkens) Strelow in Winona, MN, Don was raised on a small farm in a valley near Stockton. He graduated from Winona Senior High school in 1956 and joined the US Army where he served 6 years in the active reserves. He married Arlene Ziemer on May 14, 1960, at St. Johns Evangelical Lutheran Church in Lewiston, (MN) and they moved to Rochester where he worked as a mechanic for Clements Chevrolet from 1959 until 1972.
From 1972 until he retired in 2000, Don worked as an automotive mechanics instructor at the Rochester Community and Technical College. This position required him to complete a bachelor’s degree and obtain a teaching certification which he did by working evenings through the extension of University of Minnesota. Don went on to start the Diesel Mechanics program at RCTC, and taught many community education classes on basic mechanics. Favorites included a class designed for women to learn about routine automotive maintenance, and a class on lawnmower safety that he taught for the American Red Cross.
Don was very active with the local community through church and other charity organizations. In 1986, Don was recognized for his contributions by receiving the Rochester Exchange Club’s Book of Golden Deeds Award.
Don was President of Golden Hill PTA, Redeemer Lutheran Church, the Rochester Senior Center, the ROC-8 Square Dance Club, Chairman of the Board of Community Clothesline, and Treasurer for the Minnesota Trade and Industrial Association.
In retirement, Don maintained the fitness equipment at the Rochester YMCA and worked during Olmsted County elections to make sure voting machines were reliable and accurate. Don and Arlene also helped to start the Bethesda Thrift Shop where he would repair and make saleable donated merchandise. He was the project manager for the Redeemer Lutheran Church remodel and expansion in 2004 and custom made many pieces of furniture and cabinets at the church and Senior Center.
Don enjoyed grilling, gardening, fishing, and creating things in the garage. He kept a 1964 Corvair convertible for sunny days, was quick to join friends in almost any social activity, and liked to play badminton and cards with his grandchildren. His friends and family remember him for his unique ability to diagnose, repair, and often improve the design of nearly anything mechanical. He received great satisfaction and joy from working with his hands in this way.
Don is survived by his wife of 51 years, daughter Christine Wolf, her husband Michael, granddaughter Elizabeth, and grandson Gregory of Apple Valley, MN, son Joseph and his wife Sarah of Ann Arbor, MI. Don is also survived by his sister, Doris Woodward of Winona, brother Allen of Rochester, three sisters-in-law, 28 nieces and nephews, and many great-nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by 3 brothers, a sister, a brother-in-law, and a niece.
Memorials are suggested to Redeemer Lutheran Church, Brains Together for a Cure, and Seasons Hospice.
Macken Funeral Home in charge of arrangements. Online condolences are welcome at www.mackenfuneralhome.com