Obituary of Dorothy Stromberger

Dorothy Margaret (Krause) Stromberger, age 86, after suffering a stroke on Saturday, April 24th, peacefully passed away in her sleep at home in Ritzville, WA, Wednesday, April 28th, 2010. Dorothy was born on May 3, 1923, to Ernest and Wilhemina (Thom) Krause in Ritzville. Her mother "Minnie" died when Dorothy was 9 years old, and her father remarried in 1933 to Rita Jones who was a wonderful and much-loved stepmother. Dorothy was preceded in death by husband, Art Stromberger, in 1983, and son-in-law, Mark Galbreath in 1989; four brothers: Vernon and Milton in the flu epidemic of 1918, Robert drowned in Sprague Lake in 1942, and Norman in 2001; and a sister, Evelyn Langenheder Keuter in 2005. Dorothy graduated from Ritzville High School in 1941. She attended Kinman Business School in Spokane and worked at Federal Land Bank until she met the love of her life, Art Stromberger, at the Sprague Lake dances. They were married December 31, 1942. Wherever they lived, Sprague, Rockford, or Ritzville, together they worked hard on the farm and cattle ranches, raising their five children. She was an active member of the Lutheran church at Ritzville, Sprague and at Central Lutheran in Spokane. In her retirement years she lived at Riverview Terrace and later at Cooper George Retirement Home in Spokane. In July of 2003 she moved to Ritzville to live with her daughter, Amy Galbreath. Dorothy was a hard worker, grew huge flower and vegetable gardens, and was a wonderful seamstress and excellent cook. She loved traveling and ballroom dancing and beautiful clothes. But most outstanding was her deep love for family and friends, to entertain, and do things with her grandchildren. She left us so many wonderful memories. She is survived by one son, Raymond (Tena) Stromberger of Ritzville, and four daughters: Beth (Lee) Insko, of Elgin, OR, Joan (Ray) Schmitt, of Sprague, WA, Mary Kaye (Roger) Klein, of Edwall, WA, and Amy Galbreath of Ritzville; 17 grandchildren; 32 great-grandchildren and numerous nieces and nephews. Viewing will be Thursday, May 6, noon to 5 p.m. at the Danekas Funeral Home in Ritzville. Vault interment will be Friday, May 7, 10:30 a.m. at Emmanuel Lutheran Cemetery in Ritzville. Family dinner will be at noon at Emmanuel Lutheran Church followed by the Memorial Service at 2:00 p.m., with refreshments following. Memorial contributions may be given to organization or charity of your choice. Danekas Funeral Home and Crematory, Ritzville, is entrusted with arrangements. Condolences may be left at www.danekasfuneralhome.org