Rosalind “Rose” Strodtman, 87, of Paynesville, died Friday, December 6th, at the Paynesville Hospital. Mass of Christian Burial will be at 11:00 a.m. on Thursday, December 19, at St. Louis Catholic Church. Visitation will be 4:00-7:00 p.m. on Wednesday, December 18th, at the church in Paynesville, and one hour prior to the Mass on Thursday. Burial will be in the St. Louis Catholic Cemetery.
Rosalind Mary (Larson) Strodtman was born on June 12, 1937, to George and Bertha (Eifert) Larson. She spent her early years on the family farm near Parkers Prairie, Minnesota, before the family moved into town in 1945. Rosalind attended school in Parkers Prairie and graduated in 1955.
In June 1955, she married DeWayne Strodtman, and together they raised seven children. Rosalind played an integral role in her husband’s many ventures, including the Recreation Bar, auctioneering, and a furniture business.
In 1984, after the closure of Koronis Furniture, Rosalind embarked on her own entrepreneurial journey. She purchased and managed the Whirla Whip ice cream franchise at the Kandi Mall in Willmar, Minnesota. After two years, she transitioned to opening a deli at the Centre Point Mall in downtown Willmar, which she successfully ran for seven years until 1994.
Following her deli business, Rosalind worked in the office for her son-in-law, Bill Graves, at Domino’s Pizza. She devoted 21 years to the role before retiring in December 2015.
Throughout her life, Rosalind cherished traveling with her family. She visited England, Germany, Spain, Italy, and attended the Athens Olympics—an experience she described as the trip of a lifetime.
Rosalind is survived by her children:Gary Strodtman of Paynesville, MN, Mark (Donna) Strodtman of Loveland, CO, Karen (Dale) Bachman of Paynesville, MN, Mary (Ted) Espinoza of Cheyenne, WY, James (Penny) Strodtman of Kimball, MN, LeAnn (Steve) Johannes of St. Cloud, MN, Susan Graves of Flower Mound, TX; 28 grandchildren, 26 great-grandchildren; 27 step-grandchildren and step-great grandchildren; sister Linda (Curt) Kalpin of Osakis, MN; special friend, Harold Thoennes of Urbank, MN. Sisters-in-law: Shirley Larson, Pat Larson, and Pauline Larson, and brother-in-law, Bob Simonson.
Rosalind was preceded in death by her husband, DeWayne Strodtman; her infant son, Harry George; her parents, George and Bertha Larson; her siblings: Carole Simonson, Robert Larson, George Larson, James Larson, Richard Larson, and Jon Larson; sisters-in-law Kendora Larson and Mary Larson; and her son-in-law, Bill Graves.
Rosalind’s hard-working spirit, loving heart, and zest for life will be deeply missed by her family, friends, and all who knew her.
