On Tuesday, September 6, 2016, surrounded by his loving family, Clifton "Oliver" Strom, age 89, peacefully entered eternal life at Sheridan Medical Complex in Kenosha, Wisconsin. Oliver was born in Racine, Wisconsin on December 29, 1926, to Clifton Ola and Elizabeth "Margaret" (nee Seatter) Strom. After his mother’s death 4 months before his 2nd birthday, Oliver was raised by his father and his second wife Verna Bell (nee Roberts). He attended Knapp Elementary School and Mitchell Junior High School and graduated from Washington Park High School in Racine in 1944. He served in the U.S. Army in 1945 just after World War II ended until he contracted an eye disease which blinded his left eye and caused him to be medically discharged. Using funding from the G.I. Bill, he graduated from Carroll College in Waukesha in 1950 with a degree in history. On November 17, 1951, he was united in marriage to Marie "Arlene" Bogucki in the parish rectory of St. Stanislaus Catholic Church. Together they raised nine children.
Oliver spent the majority of his working career and retired as a draftsman at Young Radiator Corporation. After retirement, he worked seasonally as a tax preparer and occasionally taught the tax preparation class at H&R Block. He also drove cars to various dealerships across Wisconsin for Metro Auto Mart. He was an avid reader who spent many hours at the Racine and Kenosha Public Libraries. At one time, he and Arlene led a Great Books group at their home and later they were in book clubs at St. Edward's and Olympia Brown UU Church. He always enjoyed reading the local paper, but he absolutely loved reading the New York Times or Chicago Tribune each day. He was passionate about being a member of Milwaukee Public Television and watching its programs. He also loved to listen to National Public Radio, and he always had classical music playing on the radio. For most of his life, he was a faithful member of Bethany United Methodist Church where he occasionally delivered sermons as a lay preacher. When Bethany closed, he found his church family at Olympia Brown Unitarian Universalist Church where he enjoyed their coffee fellowships and other discussion groups. Above all, Oliver dearly loved his large family.
Left to cherish his memory are 8 of his children, 10 grandchildren, 10 great-grandchildren, his sister Mary (Ernest) Schoenfeld, Arlene's sister and brother, Alicia Lawrence and Edwin (Shirley) Bogucki, nieces, nephews, other relatives, and friends.
Arlene, his loving wife of 64 years, preceded him in death by a mere 25 days on August 12, 2016. He was also preceded in death by his son John, and his brother-in-law Burton Lawrence.
His memorial service was held on Friday, September 16, 2016, at Olympia Brown UU Church officiated by Rev. Tony Larsen, and his cremains were buried above the remains of his mother E. Margaret Strom at Mound Cemetery in Racine.
Oliver spent the majority of his working career and retired as a draftsman at Young Radiator Corporation. After retirement, he worked seasonally as a tax preparer and occasionally taught the tax preparation class at H&R Block. He also drove cars to various dealerships across Wisconsin for Metro Auto Mart. He was an avid reader who spent many hours at the Racine and Kenosha Public Libraries. At one time, he and Arlene led a Great Books group at their home and later they were in book clubs at St. Edward's and Olympia Brown UU Church. He always enjoyed reading the local paper, but he absolutely loved reading the New York Times or Chicago Tribune each day. He was passionate about being a member of Milwaukee Public Television and watching its programs. He also loved to listen to National Public Radio, and he always had classical music playing on the radio. For most of his life, he was a faithful member of Bethany United Methodist Church where he occasionally delivered sermons as a lay preacher. When Bethany closed, he found his church family at Olympia Brown Unitarian Universalist Church where he enjoyed their coffee fellowships and other discussion groups. Above all, Oliver dearly loved his large family.
Left to cherish his memory are 8 of his children, 10 grandchildren, 10 great-grandchildren, his sister Mary (Ernest) Schoenfeld, Arlene's sister and brother, Alicia Lawrence and Edwin (Shirley) Bogucki, nieces, nephews, other relatives, and friends.
Arlene, his loving wife of 64 years, preceded him in death by a mere 25 days on August 12, 2016. He was also preceded in death by his son John, and his brother-in-law Burton Lawrence.
His memorial service was held on Friday, September 16, 2016, at Olympia Brown UU Church officiated by Rev. Tony Larsen, and his cremains were buried above the remains of his mother E. Margaret Strom at Mound Cemetery in Racine.
On Tuesday, September 6, 2016, surrounded by his loving family, Clifton "Oliver" Strom, age 89, peacefully entered eternal life at Sheridan Medical Complex in Kenosha, Wisconsin. Oliver was born in Racine, Wisconsin on December 29, 1926, to Clifton Ola and Elizabeth "Margaret" (nee Seatter) Strom. After his mother’s death 4 months before his 2nd birthday, Oliver was raised by his father and his second wife Verna Bell (nee Roberts). He attended Knapp Elementary School and Mitchell Junior High School and graduated from Washington Park High School in Racine in 1944. He served in the U.S. Army in 1945 just after World War II ended until he contracted an eye disease which blinded his left eye and caused him to be medically discharged. Using funding from the G.I. Bill, he graduated from Carroll College in Waukesha in 1950 with a degree in history. On November 17, 1951, he was united in marriage to Marie "Arlene" Bogucki in the parish rectory of St. Stanislaus Catholic Church. Together they raised nine children.
Oliver spent the majority of his working career and retired as a draftsman at Young Radiator Corporation. After retirement, he worked seasonally as a tax preparer and occasionally taught the tax preparation class at H&R Block. He also drove cars to various dealerships across Wisconsin for Metro Auto Mart. He was an avid reader who spent many hours at the Racine and Kenosha Public Libraries. At one time, he and Arlene led a Great Books group at their home and later they were in book clubs at St. Edward's and Olympia Brown UU Church. He always enjoyed reading the local paper, but he absolutely loved reading the New York Times or Chicago Tribune each day. He was passionate about being a member of Milwaukee Public Television and watching its programs. He also loved to listen to National Public Radio, and he always had classical music playing on the radio. For most of his life, he was a faithful member of Bethany United Methodist Church where he occasionally delivered sermons as a lay preacher. When Bethany closed, he found his church family at Olympia Brown Unitarian Universalist Church where he enjoyed their coffee fellowships and other discussion groups. Above all, Oliver dearly loved his large family.
Left to cherish his memory are 8 of his children, 10 grandchildren, 10 great-grandchildren, his sister Mary (Ernest) Schoenfeld, Arlene's sister and brother, Alicia Lawrence and Edwin (Shirley) Bogucki, nieces, nephews, other relatives, and friends.
Arlene, his loving wife of 64 years, preceded him in death by a mere 25 days on August 12, 2016. He was also preceded in death by his son John, and his brother-in-law Burton Lawrence.
His memorial service was held on Friday, September 16, 2016, at Olympia Brown UU Church officiated by Rev. Tony Larsen, and his cremains were buried above the remains of his mother E. Margaret Strom at Mound Cemetery in Racine.
Oliver spent the majority of his working career and retired as a draftsman at Young Radiator Corporation. After retirement, he worked seasonally as a tax preparer and occasionally taught the tax preparation class at H&R Block. He also drove cars to various dealerships across Wisconsin for Metro Auto Mart. He was an avid reader who spent many hours at the Racine and Kenosha Public Libraries. At one time, he and Arlene led a Great Books group at their home and later they were in book clubs at St. Edward's and Olympia Brown UU Church. He always enjoyed reading the local paper, but he absolutely loved reading the New York Times or Chicago Tribune each day. He was passionate about being a member of Milwaukee Public Television and watching its programs. He also loved to listen to National Public Radio, and he always had classical music playing on the radio. For most of his life, he was a faithful member of Bethany United Methodist Church where he occasionally delivered sermons as a lay preacher. When Bethany closed, he found his church family at Olympia Brown Unitarian Universalist Church where he enjoyed their coffee fellowships and other discussion groups. Above all, Oliver dearly loved his large family.
Left to cherish his memory are 8 of his children, 10 grandchildren, 10 great-grandchildren, his sister Mary (Ernest) Schoenfeld, Arlene's sister and brother, Alicia Lawrence and Edwin (Shirley) Bogucki, nieces, nephews, other relatives, and friends.
Arlene, his loving wife of 64 years, preceded him in death by a mere 25 days on August 12, 2016. He was also preceded in death by his son John, and his brother-in-law Burton Lawrence.
His memorial service was held on Friday, September 16, 2016, at Olympia Brown UU Church officiated by Rev. Tony Larsen, and his cremains were buried above the remains of his mother E. Margaret Strom at Mound Cemetery in Racine.
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