Einar B. Strom, 86, of Engadine, served in the United States Army infantry in the European theater during World War II, and served again in Germany during the Korean War. A longtime logger who enjoyed growing Christmas trees and making maple syrup, Mr. Strom died Thursday, October 8, 2009, after an extended illness.

Born in 1923 in Corinne (Viola), he was graduated from Gould City High School in 1940.

Following military service, Mr. Strom settled in Engadine after marrying Pauline Drefs in 1954 in Newberry.

He worked as a logger for many years. He was foreman for Habitat Fence Company operations in Corinne during the 1960s and also worked for Freeman Lumber Company Hardware.

After retiring, he grew and sold Christmas trees. A leader of Boy Scout Troop 128, he took great pleasure in seeing scouts acquire skills and gain confidence. He was a life-time member of VFW Post 8732 in Engadine and was often seen flipping pancakes for the post’s annual Mother’s Day breakfast. Mr. Strom loved making maple syrup, which he did each spring with his brothers in Stroms’ Sugarbush for more than 40 years.

He loved to read. Mr. Strom enjoyed a good story but also read widely about his interests in history and in natural sciences. He enjoyed fishing, collecting fossils, gardening, cutting gemstones, and hunting. He also enjoyed experimenting in the kitchen, making jelly, pies, pickles, and bread.

Mr. Strom is survived by his wife, Pauline, of Engadine; one son and his family, John and Mary Strom of Manistique; one daughter and her family, Penny and Mike Hennes of Rochester, Minnesota; two granddaughters, Katherine and Mary; two greatgrandsons, Tyler and Eric; a brother, Thorvid; a sister, Elsa, and numerous nieces and nephews.

He was preceded in death by his parents, Amandus and Anne (nee Frisk) Strom, and seven siblings, Elisabeth, Eric, Sig, Alvar, Astrid, Ivar, and Tekla.

A memorial service will be held at Beaulieu Funeral Home in Newberry Thursday, October 15, at 11 a.m. The family will receive friends and guests starting at 10 a.m. at the funeral home. Inurnment will follow at Engadine Cemetery in Engadine.

Memorials may be directed to the Lustgarten Foundation for Pancreatic Cancer Research. Additional information or memorial donations on this cause can be found at http://www.curepc.org.