Donald A. Stroh, I, 68, Dickinson, died Monday, September 3, 2012 at St. Alexius Medical Center, Bismarck after complications following surgery. His wife of 48 years was at his side. Donald’s Mass of Christian Burial will be at 10 a.m., Saturday, September 8, 2012 at Queen of Peace Catholic Church, Dickinson, with Fr. Casimir Paluck as the celebrant. Interment will follow at St. Joseph’s Cemetery, Dickinson. Visitation will be on Friday from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m., at Ladbury Funeral Service. There will be a rosary & vigil at 7 p.m., Friday, at Ladbury Funeral Service, with Deacon Ron Wolberg presiding.
Don was born in Killdeer, on November 18, 1943 to Jacob and Rose (Hartman) Stroh. Don lived on the family farm near Manning, where he lived until his father passed away in 1949. Following his father’s passing, his mother moved the family to Dickinson. Don attended St. Joseph’s Catholic School in Dickinson. On September 8, 1964, Don was united in marriage to Phyllis Specht at St Joseph’s Catholic Church in Dickinson. Following a short residency in Dickinson, the couple moved to Billings, Mont. While in Billings, Don was employed as a manager for West Parkway Truck Stop and later was employed with West-Chem Agricultural Chemicals. While in Billings, two children were born of this union, Donald, II and Dawn. In 1977, Don and his family moved back to Dickinson where he remained employed in the agricultural chemical business. After many years of working in agricultural chemical sales, Don chose a different career path and elected to drive a semi-truck, where he worked primarily for Jim Ressler Trucking, Bismarck. While driving over the road, Don was fortunate to see much of the US, with one of his favorite areas being the Columbia River Gorge, located in the Pacific Northwest and much of the western United States. He retired from driving in 2006.
Over the years, Don enjoyed much of his time outdoors, where he enjoyed shooting sports, hunting, fishing, and snowmobiling. He truly cherished his time spent with family and friends, especially drinking coffee and visiting with his friends in his later years. If not outdoors, you could find Don spending time watching television, especially westerns from the 60’s and 70’s. What Don cherished most, was spending time with his wife and traveling to Colorado to spend time with his children and grandchildren. Don was a past member of the Knights of Columbus and the Elk’s. He was a current member of the Rocky Mountain Elk Foundation and Wildlife Forever.
Don is survived by his wife, Phyllis of Dickinson, ND; two children, son, Donald, II (Dennette) Stroh and their children, Samantha and Cameron of Longmont, Colo.; and daughter, Dawn Stroh of Erie, Colo.; two brothers; Alvin (Maria) of Rogers, Ark., and Ervin, of Dickinson. Don was preceded by his parents, Jacob and Rose, his brother, Raymond and his sister, Lorraine.
In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to the American Diabetes Association or the Rocky Mountain Elk Foundation.
