Clarissa Helen Strom

CLARISSA HELEN STROM

Was born to Ernest and Ada (Bacon) Reynolds on April 27, 1912 in Tiskilwa, Illinois, where she was raised and attended school. After high school graduation, she continued her education at Illinois Wesleyan College in Bloomington, Illinois. She then taught music in Tiskilwa for two years. On December 30, 1937, she was married to Eric Joseph Strom in Peoria, Illinois. After being married, they lived in Pipestone, Minnesota. While her husband was serving in World War II, Clarissa lived in Rock Island, Illinois, and worked at the USO. After the war, the couple returned to Pipestone, where they raised their children, Kurt and Judy. On January 20, 1963, Clarissa’s husband, Joe, passed away. Following his death, Clarissa returned to school, completing her Bachelor of Arts Degree in music at Southwest State, Marshall, Minnesota. After graduation, Clarissa continued her career as both a classroom music teacher in the Pipestone area schools and as a private piano teacher, giving lessons in her home. On June 16, 2008, Clarissa moved to the Ashton Care Center in Pipestone where she resided until the facility closed in 2010, whereupon she moved to The Estates at Delano in Delano, Minnesota, living there until her death on November 19, 2017 at the age of 105 years, six months, and 23 days

Clarissa was a member of St. Paul’s Episcopal Church in Pipestone, where she served as church organist and as a member of the vestry. Additionally, beginnings in 1957, Clarissa accompanied the Al Opland Singers, a commitment she continued until she was 82 years of age. Clarissa enjoyed golf, Bridge, knitting, and working the New York Times daily crossword puzzle. Her enthusiasm for sports included watching the Twins and the Vikings. Music remained her passion, however, as Clarissa spent many pleasant hours listening to a great variety of music. Additionally, Clarissa was an avid reader and enjoyed following current events.

Clarissa is lovingly remembered by her daughter, Judy Schrader and her husband Chuck of Plymouth, Minnesota; one granddaughter, Amy Schrader Palmlund and her husband, Jason; one great-grandson, Owen Levi Palmlund; one great-granddaughter, Greta Claire Palmlund; one daughter-in-law, Mary Strom; one brother, Dean Reynolds and his husband, Doug Watson of Eustis, Florida; and one sister, Barbara Steigman, of Rock Island, Illinois. She was preceded in death by her husband, Joe; her son, Kurt Strom; her parents; her step-mother, Lillian Reynolds; her brother, Robert Reynolds; and her sister-in-law, Gertrude Reynolds.

***Memorials will be directed towards the Pipestone Performing Arts Center.***