Search | Advanced Search | Search Families | Search Site| Title | Obituary for Tommy Strandberg | |
| Short Title | Obituary for Tommy Strandberg | |
| Author | Fippinger Funeral Home | |
| Source ID | S1991 | |
| Text | Tommy Strandberg November 12, 1942 ? November 12, 2020 Tommy W. Strandberg of East Moline, formerly from Woodhull, passed away unexpectedly at his home on his 78th birthday, November 12, 2020. Cremation will be accorded and there will be no services per Tom?s request. There will be a private inurnment in the Alpha Cemetery. Memorials may be made to the Henry County Humane Society or University of Iowa Holden Comprehensive Cancer Center. Peterson Wallin Knox Funeral Home, Woodhull is in charge of arrangements. Tom was born on November 12,1942 in Geneseo, IL to Frank R. And Helen E. (Vigor) Strandberg. Tom graduated from Alwood High School in 1960. He married Gloria R. Talley on June 23,1962 at the Cable Community Church, Cable, IL. They later divorced but remained good friends and shared a home together. Gloria preceded him in death on January 29, 2017. Tom is survived by a son, Greg (Julie) Strandberg of Galva, IL, a daughter, Debra (Dwight) Bridger of Winterset, IA, Grandsons Eric and Alex Bridger both of Des Moines, IA, , Brothers Donald (Carol) Strandberg of Toulon, IL , Richard (Alice) Strandberg, Woodhull,IL, Andrew (Patty) Strandberg of Swedona, IL, Sisters Sally (Donald) Charlson of Woodhull,IL and Kathy (Ron) Newberg of Sherrard, IL, along with numerous nieces and nephews. Tom was preceded in death by his parents, a sister and brother in law Nancy and Ed Zurcher. Tom was a hard worker all of his life. He started working on a farm seven days a week right after he graduated high school. Tom finally took a position with Farmall in Rock Island. He stayed dedicated to the company through all the rough times. He was sometimes laid off for months at a time. Tom never gave up and always found a way to provide for his family. Unfortunately, Farmall closed in in 1986 and Tom was without a job. Tom once again did what he had to do to provide for his family whether it was working for local farmers or helping build the Pioneer seed corn plant in Woodhull. Tom finally was given the opportunity to finish his career with Navistar in Springfield, OH. Tom moved out of the Woodhull area for the first time in his life. It was a major adjustment, but Tom said that the time he spent in Springfield, Ohio were some of the best years of his life as he was afforded the opportunity to meet a lot of good people during those years. Tom retired from Navistar in 1997 and moved back to Illinois to start the next chapter of his life. Tom had many interests and hobbies. He was the jack of all trades. He could work on almost anything whether it be a car, tractor, or a house. Tom enjoyed NASCAR and attended many a races with his good friends Jim Billings and Wayne Heister. Tom also enjoyed hunting, fishing, collecting toy tractors and having coffee with the guys at McDonalds. However, the biggest joy of his life was being on the farm. He throughly enjoyed his time sitting in a tractor or combine especially if his grandchildren were with him. Tom spent his final years of farming working for Marc Westerlund in rural Orion. Tom was a jolly fellow. You often heard him before you saw him because he could be a little loud at times. Tom was good natured and would give away his last dollar to help out his fellow person. He also never complained about the troubles he had endured including his eight year battle with melanoma which required numerous trips to Iowa City at times. There is no doubt that the world lost one of the good ole' boys on November 12, 2020 but we, the family, are positive that Heaven gained a good hearted kind Angel who will definitely watch over us all until we can join him. | |
| Linked to | Frank Raymond Strandburg Thomas Strandburg Gloria Tally Helen Evelyn Vigor | |