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Leslie Linnè Stromback, age 71, of Forest Lake and a lifetime resident of the Chisago Lakes area, passed away peacefully the morning of November 1, 2024 following a series of small strokes throughout the year.

Les was preceded in death by his parents, John “Ken” Stromback and Louise Stromback (Benson). He is survived by his wife Anna “Chris” Stromback (Owens); his daughter Kimberly (Christopher) Palmer; his beloved grandchildren, Austen and Madison; his sister Sheila Markeson (Onen); nephews Bjorn (Darlene) and Lars (Jill).

Les grew up in Chisago City surrounded by cousins and friends where he developed his lifelong love of the outdoors including camping, fishing, trapping and hunting. He attended St. Cloud State University graduating in 1975 with a degree in accounting that took him to his first job in Redwood Falls. His successes there led him back to the home he loved and to the accounting department for Chisago County where he dedicated 33 years of service, retiring as the Fiscal Supervisor for Chisago County Health and Human Services. Once settled in Chisago, Les fulfilled a lifelong dream by purchasing land in Pine River and, with the help of family and friends over a series of years, he built a traditional log cabin.

One fateful evening in 1980, he was asked to dance by a pretty girl in a favorite bar called Louie’s, and a year later Les and Chris were married in Lindstrom. Les and his family also welcomed Chris’s daughter Kimberly into their hearts and the three settled in a home outside of Lindstrom to build their lives. It was there that Les and Chris developed the skills and teamwork to master projects: from the coolest home entertainment cabinet, to decks, porches, sunrooms and those unexpected problems that surface as new homeowners. Les was patient and knowledgeable, easy going and persistent, and seemed unflappable through good times and the trials.

Seasons were defined by his love for the outdoors - be it fishing opener with the guys, trips to Osakis, Ash and Pelican Lakes to catch the big one, or hunting or muzzle-loading season adorned in the perfect combo of camo and orange. Les and Chris built a cabin in Siren, WI where they could further enjoy the wildlife, the beauty of the land, and sunsets over the lake. In 1992 they tackled their largest project yet - building a beautiful home from the ground up just north of Lindstrom where many happy days and holidays were spent with family and friends and their new grandchildren Austen and Madison. In 2004 Les and Chris fell in love with their final home, nestled on South Center Lake where the whole family enjoyed days of fishing, swimming, boating, tubing and everything else the lake had to offer – and of course they had to build one final screen porch.

After retirement, Les and Chris enjoyed their winters on South Padre Island, TX where Les’s laid-back, generous, big-hearted nature earned him a family of friends over the 15 years they vacationed together. Les was authentic and devoted and loving. He will be deeply missed.

There will be a celebration of his life (after hunting season, of course) Sunday, November 24, from 4-7 p.m., with a formal time for sharing memories beginning at 6 PM at Roberts Family Funeral Home, Forest Lake. Monetary donations would be appreciated and will be collected to donate to the local food shelf.

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