"Mary was a perceptive and tireless advocate for students who followed her in attending the University of Montana. Her advice and support will be Dearly missed within UM's main College, Humanities and Sciences. Chris Comer, Emeritus Dean and Professor."
In loving memory of
Mary Deane Stromberg
February 8, 1944 - February 5, 2022
Mary Stromberg of Bellevue Washington passed away on February 5, 2022, at the age of 77. Mary was born in Great Falls, Montana. Mary was musically gifted, she played the French horn at Great Falls High, played the tuba in the high school marching band in Sandefjord Norway when she was in high school in Norway, and won a music scholarship for piano at the University of Montana (U. of M.). Throughout her life, Mary filled the home with the sounds of Beethoven in the twilight hours. While in Sandefjord, Mary gained a second family, and thought of Marie Larson as her "Norwegian Mother" and Irene Boeh as her "Norwegian Sister". Mary spoke 4 languages fluently - English, French, German, and Norwegian. She earned her undergraduate degree in French and German, as well as a teaching certificate. She taught English, French, and German at the High School in Cutbank Montana. While at the University of Montana, Mary pledged Kappa Alpha Theta. Before going active, she met and married her first husband, John Morgan. Tragedy struck early, and John passed away after only 1 year of marriage. Mary continued her studies, and while at U. of M. met Robert (Bob) C. Stromberg. They were married in Great Falls Montana on November 11, 1967. Mary and Bob moved briefly to San Francisco California, then up to Bellevue Washington where Mary had her daughter, Mikel Lee Milton (Stromberg). Mary and Bob then relocated back to Great Falls, where she tutored in French and Piano and worked in the family business. During this time Mary gave birth to her son, David Scott Stromberg. After the family business ended, Mary embarked on a multi-decade career as a sales representative at McDonald North American, Bristol Myers, and retired from ICN Pharmaceuticals. During this same time, Mary discovered a talent for acting and modeling. In Great Falls she was an actress and served on the board with May Carrol Theater Productions. After the family relocated to Bellevue Washington, she was an actress and served on the board with both Redmond Town Players and the Rain City Players, and she modeled for the Thompson Agency. Mary was an active member of the United Church of Christ (UCC), both in Great Falls and in Bellevue Washington. After retiring, Mary volunteered for both the Sophia Way as well as for the eastside shelter that started off rotating between the churches on the east side to fill the gap for the lack of east side shelters. Mary served on the University of Montana's Alumni Advisory Board for multiple years. She had the opportunity to be a part of the team that helped build the student ambassador program. Mary enjoyed gardening, cooking, reading, and traveled extensively during her lifetime with her husband Bob.
Mary was preceded in death by her parents, Ogden and DuElla Olson of Great Falls Montana, Marie Larson of Sandefjord Norway, and by her first husband John Morgan of Great Falls Montana. Mary leaves behind her husband Bob Stromberg of Bellevue Washington, her son David (Amy) and (granddaughter Morgan) Stromberg of Bellevue Washington, her daughter Mikel (Stephen) Milton of Mercer Island, Washington, her stepdaughter Cindy (Jason) and (granddaughter Carly and grandson Kevin) Hanenburg of Huson Montana, her brother Duane (Elizabeth) Olson of Great Falls Montana, and her sisters Irene (Øivind) Boeh and Ina Larson of Sandefjord Norway.
Celebration of Life will be held at the First Congregational Church Bellevue, Washington on Saturday, February 26th at 2 pm. Masks, full Covid vaccination, including booster are required for in person attendance at the Celebration of Life. To assist with contact tracing, register ahead of attending onsite at this link: https://tinyurl.com/StrombergMemorial. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to either First Congregational Church, Bellevue - Outreach Fund or to the University of Montana Foundation MT Aims via www.SupportUM.org/Give directed to MT AIMS program. Arrangements are being handled by Cascade Memorial in Bellevue. Register ahead of attending onsite at this link: https://tinyurl.com/StrombergMemorial .
Tributes
"Bob and family, we are so sorry for the loss of Mary. All of you are in our thoughts. The Nutter Family"
"Sending my love and sympathy. I loved Mary and treasured our friendship. I posted the photo of Mary enjoying our last garden walk. ??"
"Bobby and family, My sincere condolences in your time of loss. I always think of the great times I shared with the Stromberg family in GF and Havre. Tom Zadick"