Betty Jean Strommer - Austin

AUSTIN — Betty Jean Strommer, 79, of Austin, died Monday, Feb. 15, 2010, at Saint Marys Hospital in Rochester.

She was born Oct. 13, 1930, to Carl and Esther (Parr) Melau in Rhinelander, Wis., and graduated from Rockford High School. She married Erwin Strommer on Nov. 5, 1952, in Belvidere, Ill. They made their home in Rockford, where she was employed by Greenlee Tool and Anderson Manufacturing. Moving to Sacred Heart, Minn., in 1971, she worked in the Renvilla Nursing Home in Renville.

Betty and Erwin moved to Austin in 1989 where she was AARP Coordinator, Girl Guards, Sunday School teacher and bookkeeper for the Salvation Army, core leader for Community Bible study, and belonged to the Red Hat Society. She enjoyed singing.

Survivors include her husband, Erwin Strommer of Austin; children, Ted (Michele) Strommer of Jonesboro, Ark., Don Strommer of Raymond, Tim Strommer of Austin, Daniel (Gwen) Strommer of Shannon, Miss., Joseph (DeeAnn) Strommer of Austin and Allan (Sherri) Strommer of Faribault; 16 grandchildren and 11 great-grandchildren; brother, Donald Melau of Rockford, Ill.; and sister, Petra (Laddie) Espy of Rockford, Ill. She was preceded in death by her parents; her stepfather, Eldo Klingeman; and one grandson, Matthew Strommer.

Funeral services will be held at 2 p.m. Friday, Feb. 19, 2010, at Bethlehem Free Methodist Church, with Pastor David Martin and Major Larry Thorson officiating. Friends may call one hour prior to the service. Interment is Saturday at 2 p.m. at Strombeck Lutheran Cemetery in rural Montevideo.

Worlein Funeral Home, Austin, is in charge of arrangements. Condolences may be expressed to the family online at www.worlein.com.