Muriel Josephine Strom, 96, of Willmar, died Thursday, September 12th at Compassionate Cottages in Willmar. Her memorial service will be 2:00 pm, Sunday, October 20th at Calvary Lutheran Church in Willmar. Visitation will be one hour prior to the service at the church. Burial will be at the Mamrelund Lutheran Cemetery in Pennock. Arrangements are with Harvey Anderson & Johnson Funeral Home.

Muriel Josephine Strom was born December 18, 1927 to Christian and Nellie (Sakariason) Peterson in Norway Lake Township. She was baptized and confirmed at First Lutheran Church of Norway Lake. She attended and graduated from New London- Spicer High School. On May 9, 1948 Muriel was united in marriage to Rueben Carlson at First Lutheran Church of Norway Lake. They made their home on their farm north of Pennock. To this union they were blessed with three daughters: Susan, Peggy and Mary Jo. Rueben passed away on January 14, 1985.

Muriel worked for Pennock Oil as a bookkeeper and also worked at the ACSC office as a land clerk. She spent most of her career in the insurance business working for Heritage Insurance Agency, where she was the manager of the agency. She was ahead of her time in the workforce and paved the way for future generations to become successful businesswomen.   

On May 26, 1990 Muriel married Gordon Strom at Mamrelund Lutheran Church in Pennock. They made their home in Willmar. They shared many great years together before Gordon's passing on December 9, 2015.

Muriel enjoyed being with her family, baking, sewing, reading and dancing. Muriel was involved in her community by being part of the quilters and ladies’ aid at Mamrelund Lutheran Church and Calvary Lutheran Church.  In earlier years, she was a member of  Mamrelund Church council where she was the treasurer. She took great pride in being the first women on the Heritage Bank board.

Muriel is survived by her daughters: Susan Melby (Michael), Peggy Doten and Mary Jo de Cathelineau (Joseph); step-children: Lois Kreps (Dallas-deceased), Kerry Rohner (Maynard), Steven Strom (Kathy), David Strom (Lisa), grandchildren: Amy Davis, Jennifer Carlson, Christian Doten, Jonathan Doten, Justin Doten, Grant de Cathelineau, Preston de Cathelineau; step- grandchildren:  Kelly Erickson, Danny Kreps, Randy Kreps, Sheila Quinn, Joanne Suchy, Jeffrey Rohner, Dwayne Strom, Michael Strom, Dr. Jennifer Massa, Cody Strom, Grace Strom; 8 great grandchildren; 13 step-great grandchildren and 8 great-great grandchildren and 4 step-great-great grandchildren.

She is preceded in death by her husbands: Rueben and Gordon; parents; step-great grandson, Kobe Kreps; siblings: Eunice Noethe, Alice Morin and Charles Peterson.