December 5, 1945 – July 14, 2024
Tom Lee Strehlow, 78, of Mitchell, died Sunday, July 14, 2024 surrounded by his family at Avera Queen of Peace Hospital in Mitchell. Funeral services will be 10:30 a.m. CT on Friday, July 19, 2024 at First Reformed Church in Mitchell with burial at Graceland Cemetery at a later date. Visitation will be from 5:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. Thursday at the Will Funeral Chapel in Mitchell with a prayer service at 7:00 p.m.
Tom Lee Strehlow, son of Bud and Eileen (Plooster) Strehlow, was born in Geddes, on December 5, 1945. He grew up on the family farm near Corsica and attended country school. Tom graduated from Corsica High School in 1963. Following his schooling, Tom was employed by the State of South Dakota while living in Chamberlain.
Tom was united in marriage with Betty Groen on September 25, 1964 in Corsica. The couple made their home in Chamberlain where Tom continued working. In August of 1965 they moved to Armour, and Tom was employed at Shanard Elevator. He later become the manager of the elevator.
On July 1, 1990 the couple made their home in Timber Lake, where Tom was manager of the ASCS Office, later known as the FSA Office, for eight years. In his retirement in Timber Lake, he drove school bus and enjoyed hunting and fishing. The couple moved to Mitchell in August of 2019.
Tom enjoyed hunting, fishing, searching for deer sheds and golf balls. He always kept his nose to the ground looking for lost coins and treasures. Tom loved to tell the story of his rattle snake hunting adventures.
Grateful for having shared his life are his wife of almost 60 years, Betty Strehlow, Mitchell; son Michael Strehlow, Mitchell; daughter Gina (Pete Richardson) Strehlow-Richardson, Sioux Falls; four grandchildren: Lyndsie (Austin) Schoenfelder, Mitchell, Cody Strehlow, Mitchell, Casey (Kayla) Strehlow, Mitchell, and Mason Scharffenberg, Sioux Falls; six greatgrandchildren, Addysen, Emersyn, Hadlee, Londyn, Lydia and Ellee; two sisters, Lucy (Stan) Rietveld, Mitchell, Sue (Hank) Bamberg, Corsica.
He was preceded in death by is parents; and two brothers, Sam and Chuck Strehlow.
Memorials may be directed to First Reformed Church in Mitchell.
(Betty Strehlow’s address is 404 Wildwood Ave., Mitchell, SD 57301.)