Lillian Jane (Johnson) Strom

Resided in Gladstone, MI
Died March 29, 2021

Lillian Jane (Johnson) Strom went home peacefully to be with her Savior Jesus Christ on March 29, 2021 with family at her side. She was born to Carl and Lillie Johnson on October 29, 1924 in Gladstone, MI. Lillian received her RN degree from Swedish Covenant School of Nursing in North Park, IL. She later married Melvin “Tut” Strom on June 23, 1949. They went on to raise five sons: Steve, Todd, Dave, Chuck and Paul in the home that Tut built for their family.

In addition to Lillian being a loving, dedicated wife and mother, Lillian was also dedicated to her nursing career. She was employed as a school nurse for Gladstone, as an OB nurse at OSF St. Francis Hospital and later went on to teach Nursing at Bay College when their Nursing Program had first begun. One of her greatest joys was when she volunteered in the outreach of nursing during a time of tuberculosis at Hannahville and it transitioned in to a cultural exchange for more than fifteen years bringing forth many life-long lasting friendships within the community. Lillian also enjoyed working in her garden, was dedicated to helping those through prison ministry and cherished her time in quilt making with the group at First Lutheran.

She is survived by her sons: Dave (Donna) Strom, Chuck (Sally) Strom, and Reverend Paul (Gretchen) Strom and her grandchildren; Erik, Elin, Thad, Luke, Tim, Dan, Emily, Audrey, Charlotte, Anna and Mark. Lillian is also survived by daughters-in-law Leroux Strom and Martha Fitzgerald and numerous nieces, nephews and great grandchildren.

Lillian was preceded in death by: her Parents, her husband and her sons Steve and Todd, her siblings Joyce (Johnson) Norden, Carl “Bummy” and James Johnson.

Throughout her entire life she held an unwavering faith in God which she shared with those that surrounded her. Lillian “lived” her faith and believed that God’s love is manifested through helping others.

A Service of Christian Burial will be held at First Lutheran Church, 1212 Minneapolis Avenue in Gladstone on Tuesday, April 6, 2021. Visitation will be from 11:00 AM to 1:00 PM with the funeral at 1:00 PM and Committal to follow at Fernwood Cemetery in Gladstone.

Masks and social distancing are mandatory upon entering the church

In lieu of flowers, the family is requesting that memorials be made to: First Lutheran Quilting Group or Lutheran World Relief.

The Strom family would like to express their sincerest gratitude to the staff at Bishop Noa for their compassionate care of Lillian.

19 Tributes for “Lillian Jane (Johnson) Strom”

    Dear Dave, Chuck & Paul,
    We were saddened to hear of your mom’s passing. Our hearts go out to you and your families with deepest sympathy. What a wonderful person your mom was and what a positive impression she made on everyone who knew her. We smile when we think about her raising 5 very “active” boys! Not an easy task but she made it look easy. She shared her strong faith and love of God with each one of you, along with instilling a zest for life, family and friends. Please know that our thoughts and prayers are with you during this sad time.
    Sincerely,
    Tim and Nancy LeGault

    I knew Lillian when she would visit her Mom in the nursing home. I got to know some of Lillie’s kids very well. Joyce, Bummy and Lillian were the ones I knew best. I’m saddened to hear of Lillian’s death. She was such a nice lady and my heart goes out to her family. I’m sending many thoughts and prayers to her family at the sorrowful time. May she rest in peace.

    Your mom was truly an inspiration to me her whole life. I was always amazed at her cooking and sewing. Her faith was always steady through her whole life. She and my mom made sure Christ was always a part of my life. Steve and I were 3 days apart in our July birthdays. He was to me like a brother I never had. All of you are so much family to me. I am sorry I can not attend her funeral but I will pray for God to give you his love and peace as you grieve Aunt Lil.

    Lil was one of the several moms we were raised with on the 1500 block of Montana Avenue. Along with her 5 boys she kept track of many other boys in the neighborhood. She led with her faith in God and practiced her faith through her service to others. She was always interested in me and I loved to walk across the street to greet her when I found myself back in Gladstone. She has waited long enough to be with her Jesus. See you soon Mrs. Strom.
    God’s peace,
    Rev. Patrick Ziems

    Rest In Peace Lillian, your in gods hands and back with Tut! To all the family may you find comfort and peace through god’s grace.

    Oh my goodness, to say goodbye to your lovely mother makes a sad day indeed. I’m out in Arizona now and sorry that I can’t be at the service. This day I think of your mother and all the church ladies from the past and the little church across the alley from our house where one of us kids would get to pull the rope to ring the bell on Sundays. Rest in peace lovely lady and my sympathy to you all. Janet Labre Bruno

    THE BEST CARDOMOM BREAD.

    I remember the first time I met Lilian. I had went to her house with Dave and Dan to help with some bathroom work. After the project was finished she had given me a loaf of the infamous bread.
    I had been hearing about it and was estatic to try.
    When I got home I sliced a chunk off and put some butter on it.
    It was THE BEST bread I have ever tasted.
    So I proceeded to bring the entire loaf to my room with the butter because I didn’t want to share. (Whoops!)

    Thoughts and prayers to the family and may she rest in paradise with our lord.

    Sincerely, Preston “Presley” Caron

    Lillian Jane was one of the most selfless people I’ve ever known, and I am blessed to call her my grandmother.
    Grandma dedicated her life to serving others. She did this in many ways, but one of them was through her long and accomplished career as an RN. Her dedication and passion for the field inspired me to follow in her footsteps. I just wish she was here to see me finish school because I know it was one of her dreams to have another nurse in the family.

    She lived her life for The Lord. She was active in the church quilting circle for many years, as well as writing to those incarcerated as part of prison ministry. As part of the quilting circle, she made countless quilts to be sent overseas to those in need. She instilled in her children and grandchildren the same love for The Lord.

    Grandma, it hurts that you are no longer with us, but I take solace in knowing that you are smiling on us from above. I know you’re up there having a grand time with Grandpa, Uncle Todd, Uncle Steve, and your siblings.

    I love you a bushel, a peck, and a hug around the neck. Forever and always.

    Chuck, Dave, Paul. . . So sad to hear of your Moms passing, she was a wonderful woman.
    Love, Dave Johnson

    Dear Strom Family,
    “Aunt Lil” was one of my favorite friends. I met her many years ago through my friends Marcia Norden and her mom Joyce (Lil’s sister). Lil was always someone who I enjoyed spending time with. I always wanted to spend a few sessions of quilting at First Lutheran, but never made it up north for the Tuesday quilting. I remember her showing me the quilt tops that she had made from fabric that I had given her. She also provide me with a template for tying quilts which I shared with our little quilting group in Waukegan, IL. She gifted me with night gowns, table cloths and other home sewn items which I cherish and use on special occasions.
    I know that she loved her flowers as she had quite a beautiful flower garden every time I saw her during the summer. It was amazing to see her at her camp. The last time I did spend time with her we were at her camp, sitting in the Adirondack chairs and watching the beautiful autumn leaves float down into the little valley. It is such a lovely memory. I must mention one more thing, I never came home without at least one loaf of her homemade Swedish coffee bread! It was simply delicious.

    She liked to read and often recommended books for me to read. My most favorite book series was the Mitford series by Jan Karon.

    Our deepest sympathy to Dave and family, she sounds like she was a lady of many talents and love for others.
    Terry and Jolaine Anderson

    My sympathies and prayers go out to the Strom families. Lil always took good care of us in those high school years. There is solace in knowing she is at peace.

    When I was a child, I would visit my grandmother in Gladstone in the summer and I became friends with Miss Lil through the church that she and my grandmother both attended. I would go back to my house in CA and Lil and I would write back and forth to each other for years – she taught me how to cross stitch and I have a few of her cross stitched book marks still. She gifted me with many small things. When I was visiting, she would share baked treats while we talked about sewing and life. She was a wonderful woman that I still think about fondly – I looked her up online today to see if I could find her address and was sad but not surprised to learn of her passing. My deepest sympathy to the Strom family. Condolences to everyone.

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