Donald Eugene Strelow
Thursday, March 10, 1938
Date of Death:
Monday, October 17, 2011
Age:
73 years old
Visitation
Date: Wednesday October 19, 2011
Time: 4:00 pm - 7:00 pm
Location: River Park Chapel at Macken Funeral Home [ view map ]
Second Visitation
Date: Thursday October 20, 2011
Time: 10:00 am - 11:00 am
Location: Redeemer Lutheran Church [ view map ]
Funeral Service
Date: Thursday October 20, 2011
Time: 11:00 am
Location: Redeemer Lutheran Church [ view map ]
Burial
Location: Grandview Memorial Gardens [ view map ]
Thursday, March 10, 1938
Date of Death:
Monday, October 17, 2011
Age:
73 years old
Thursday, March 10, 1938
Date of Death:
Monday, October 17, 2011
Age:
73 years old
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
Condolences
The family of Donald Eugene Strelow has received the following condolences.
Strelow Family:
My sincere sympathy on the loss of your husband & father. Your tireless devotion to Don during his last months of life was inspiring to witness and a tribute to his life. I did not know Don prior to his stay at Maple Manor but his kindness and integrity were obvious. God's Blessings to your family.
LaDonna
Don was always sure a helpful and friendly guy at Rochester Community and Technical College. We all enjoyed his grilling for picnics.
He will be missed by the community. Our thoughts and prayers are with the family in this difficult time.
Lori & Doug Wright
Our condolences to Arlene and the extended Strelow family. We learned of Don's passing too late to be able to attend, but our thoughts and prayers are with you all. Our fondest memory, of course, is of Don and Arlene working so hard at our wedding reception, providing an oustanding grilled meal. Gentle, quiet, loving and kind, Don has become a wonderful addition to God's Kingdom. He will be greatly missed by all who knew him. Blessings to you all.
Arlene and family
We are so sorry for your loss.
Rosie and Duane Evans
Dear Arlene and Family
We were saddened to hear of Don's passing. Our thoughts and prayers to you during this difficult time. I know that we only had the privilege of meeting you and Don on a few occasions over the years but you and Don were a household name as my parents (Don and Eloise)spoke of you two often. May God's promise of comfort, peace, strength and love that he so freely gives help ease your grief and sorrow today and everyday as he walks beside you along life's way.
With our deepest sympathy,
Vicky Binder Giordano and Tom Giordano
I worked with Don at RCTC for many years and I'll always remember his smile and his kind heart. Don was always there to lend a hand and was very generous with his time and expertise. He was a very gifted mechanic - but even more importantly - he was a wonderful person. I will always have fond memories of the years we worked together. I am very thankful that I had the opportunity to get to know Don. I feel truly blessed. May God bless the Strelow family.
I'm sorry that circumstances don't permit me to be there.
There are many who say they are Christian, and then there are those special few people who actually live Christ's teachings. Uncle Don was such a perfect example of that special few. He had such a gentleness of spirit that could be immediately felt when in his presence, and was so giving of his time throughout his life to help those around him. The world needs people like him to remind us we can all do better.
We'll miss you, Uncle Don.
Don,
Thank You For A Good Education, Being A Good Customer, And Being in Touch Through The Years. Our Condolences To The Family.
Richard, Mary & Lacey Freytag
Rich's Southside Service
So sorry to hear of Don's passing. My thoughts and prayers are with his family and friends.
To Don's family,
I am so sorry to hear about Don's passing. We worked together at RCTC for a couple years in the mid-1990's and I have wonderful memories of him. It was my first job out of college and he did a wonderful job of making me feel welcome in a new environment. He called me the "new kid on the block" and introuced me to everyone and made me feel at home. I last saw him a few years ago at the RCTC reuion party and LOVED that he wore all of his name tags from years past! I have thought about him often and he will always be remembered as a kind, generous, open person who loved people. God Bless you all.
My thoughts and prayers are with the family at this time of mourning. Don was a big asset to RCTC, he helped us out numerous times repairing the equipment we use in the Horticulture program. I enjoyed working with him. He was a wonderful person!
Aunt Arlene,
I'm sorry that I won't be able to make it to say goodbye to Uncle Don. I'm glad I was able to see him a few weeks ago when he was feeling pretty good.
Uncle Don,
It was nice to see you smile and laugh last time we talked. In some ways, I'm happy that will be my last memory of you :)