Melvin Stromgren

Melvin 'Mel' Stromgren of Lindstrom died Sunday July, 29 at his home at the age of 74. Melvin Harry Stromgren was born to Harry and Margareta Stromgren on September 8th, 1937, in Chicago, Illinois. When he was 15 he moved to Chisago City and started dating the girl on the neighboring farm, Carol Froberg. He graduated from Chisago City High School in 1955. Mel went through Army basic training for six months, followed by three years active reserves and five years inactive reserves. He went to St. Paul Vocational School for three years and began working for 3M. Mel and Carol were married at Zion Lutheran on October 10, 1959. Over the next 10 years they had three children, living just up the road from the family farms. Throughout his life Mel enjoyed camping, hunting, fishing, golfing, playing cards and dominoes, and rooting for the Minnesota Twins. He also found a challenge in buying and selling cars and trucks (and boats, campers, and golf carts). Mel also dreamed up some interesting projects, like designing a portable ice house and helping his mother sew it. He started his own carpet cleaning company and a stump removal company. Mel worked for 3M his entire career, mostly in the Telecom Division. For four years he traveled the globe doing training. He was transferred to Austin, Texas, in 1986, and to New Ulm in 1989. In 1993, Mel and Carol were able to move to Lindstrom. He retired a year later after 35 years. With more time on his hands, he pursued his dream to develop Evergreen Townhomes in Lindstrom. When that huge project was done, he kept busy driving a dump truck, farming for friends, and helping his kids with their home projects. Mel is survived by his wife Carol; children Jeff (Chris) Stromgren, Joel Stromgren and Kristin Wintermute, Sarah Stromgren and Greg Cummines; grandchildren Eliana (14), Anya (12), Kate (12), Eva (12), Karl (12), Ari (9); sister Lillian (Larry) Michal, and many nieces and nephews. Mel's family will greet friends 5 to 8 p.m. Thursday, Aug. 2 at Grandstrand Funeral Home in Lindstrom.  Memorial service 11 a.m. Friday Aug. 3 at Zion Lutheran Church in Chisago City.  Interment Chisago Memorial Park.  Special thanks to the caring staff at the ALS Clinic.  Memorials suggested to Zion Lutheran Church www.grandstrandfh.com.