Richard Herrstrom Obituary

Richard (Dick) Edmund Herrstrom age 92 passed away January 7, 2025. Born August 10, 1932, he was the son of Edmund Herrstrom and Lottie Rainbolt Herrstrom. On March 13, 1954, he married Greta Lee Gill in Woodward during an ice storm.
Dick grew up on a farm by Garden Prairie Church and working with his father on the farm. Christmas 1945, the family moved to the present farm. He attended Garden Prairie country school until 3rd grade and then Luther school. During his senior year, he drove the school bus morning and night picking up other students. After his father's death when he was 16, he farmed the 20 acres and took care of the livestock with his cousin Ray Eppert. He entered the military service in October 1952 and was sent to be a forward observer in Korean War. He returned after 21 months of service. After their marriage, Dick and Greta lived on the farm and raised their family. Dick ran a tank oil truck business and then built tires for 30 years at Firestone before retiring in 1987. The farm was always his happy place- whether tending to his sweet corn and many fruit trees or sitting under an apple tree waving to the traffic. Attending auctions was one of Dick's passions in pursuit of antiques and Western Stoneware. In 2014, they moved into Madrid but continued to tend and share their large garden. Along with Greta, Dick was active in Garden Prairie UCC Church.
Survivors are wife Greta, daughter Dana (John) Kinney of Burlington, sons Brian (Tamara) Herrstrom of Altoona and Russell (Lisa) Herrstrom of Madrid, six grandchildren Daniel, Jillian, Christopher, Kyle, Travis and Nicholas, six great grandchildren and several nieces and nephews including special nephew Tom.
Dick was preceded in death by his parents and sister Mary Schulz.
A Celebration of Life will be held at 10:30 a.m. on Saturday, March 1, 2025, at Garden Prairie UCC Church where visitation begins at 9:30 a.m. A time of food and fellowship will follow. In lieu of flowers, memorials have been established for Garden Prairie UCC Church and Madrid Historical Society & Museum.
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