Earl Strobel

[gn_spacer size=”20″] [gn_heading style=”1″]Earl Strobel[/gn_heading] [frame src=”IMAGE_SRC” width=”200″ height=”” lightbox=”on” title=”Earl Strobel” align=”left” ]

Earl Strobel, born on January 22, 1917, has passed away peacefully on October 16, 2011 at the age of 94 at his home in Bayfield, Colorado. He was the seventh of twelve children born to John and Johanna Strobel on the family homestead in Alberta, Canada. The family later moved to a farm where Earl grew up in the Mildred and Terry, Montana area. Earl served in the Canadian Army during World War II but never saw combat because of severe injuries received during a live fire training exercise just prior to being deployed to the European Theatre. Earl returned to the U.S. after the war and became a naturalized citizen on April 18, 1952. He married Dorothy Kirkwood on November 10, 1951.

Earl became an accomplished finish carpenter and was employed building many houses and commercial buildings during the post-war construction boom in Billings, Montana. Earl's proudest structure was his own house at 1808 Clark Avenue which he built himself on nights and weekends. Earl and Dorothy raised their two children and lived the remainder of their lives in that house until Earl's declining health forced them to sell their beloved house and move to his daughter Karen's property near Bayfield, Colorado in November, 2008. Earl was actively involved in the local Carpenter's Union and for many years served as the elected Business Agent for the local. He also was active in square dancing, Toastmasters, including becoming President of his chapter, the Carpenter's Apprenticeship Program, Masons and Shriners.

Earl died just short of his 60th wedding anniversary with Dorothy who survives him. He is also survived by his children, Kevin (Betty) Strobel of Greeley, CO and Karen Strobel of Bayfield, CO. He is also survived by his five grandchildren, Brooks (Angelica) Johnson of Billings, MT, Ryan Strobel of Longmont, CO, Kathryn (Nicanor Diaz) Strobel of Brighton, CO, Laurel McCormick of Bayfield and Kayla Strobel of Bayfield and by his great-grandchildren, Valerie, Andrew, Aundrea and Trystan Johnson all of Billings. He is also survived by his sister, MayBelle Hergenrider of Belfry, MT, his sister-in-law Hazel Strobel of Rapid City, SD and many nieces, nephews, grand and great-grand-nieces and nephews all across the country.

A funeral service will be held at 11:00 a.m., Saturday, October 22, 2011, at Michelotti-Sawyers in Billings with interment following in the Sunset Memorial Gardens.