Mass of Christian Burial for Mary Ann Strom, 93, of Estherville, will be held at 10:30 a.m., Saturday, March 1, 2025, at St. Patrick’s Catholic Church in Estherville with Father John Thomas, celebrant and Deacon John Rudd. Interment will be at East Side Cemetery, Estherville. Mary Ann passed away on Feb. 21, 2025, at Accura Care Center in Spirit Lake, Iowa.
Visitation will be one hour prior to the service at the church.
Mary Ann Strom, was born in rural Palo Alto County, Iowa on the family farm near Rodman on December 26, 1931, to Francis and Emma (Hartman) O’Connor.
Mary Ann attended schools in Whittemore and Rodman, graduating in 1949. Shortly after graduation, she moved to Estherville and began working at the coffee shop in the Gardston Hotel. On November 1, 1953, she started her 65-year career working at Estherville Drug. While working there she met a handsome man named Glenn Strom. The couple was wed in September of 1959 in Jackson, Minnesota and made their home in Estherville. Mary Ann walked to work daily and was a staple at the drug store. She was always very helpful to the customers and very knowledgeable about cosmetics and giftware.
Mary Ann and Glenn enjoyed traveling together, taking trips all over the world. When Glenn became ill, Mary Ann was a devoted wife and took care of him in their home until his death on August 22, 1994. Mary Ann continued to live in her home, with her spoiled dachshund, Lucky. Traveling with friends now, she continued to explore trips abroad and throughout the country, collecting spoons from each trip. Mary Ann worked at Estherville Drug until August 31, 2018, retiring at the age of 86. Throughout the years she saw many changes at the store and was able to adapt and enjoyed going to work most days!
Mary Ann was a lifelong member of the Catholic faith, and a member of St. Patrick’s Catholic Church in Estherville. Mary Ann could be frequently seen walking to work, church, or just taking Lucky around the block. She always had a smile for a friend or customer. To know Mary Ann was to love Mary Ann.
Mary Ann is survived by her sister Margaret (Gene) Ferrel of Paducah, KY; sister-in-law, Diana O’Connor (wife of John) of Victoria, MN; and many nieces and nephews.
Mary Ann is preceded in death by her husband Glenn Strom; her parents Francis and Emma; and her siblings Edward O’Connor, John O’Connor, Helen (Henry) Bragdon, and Shirley (William) Fisher.
Online condolences may be left for the family at www.henryolsonfuneral.com. Henry Olson Funeral Home of Estherville assisted the family with arrangements.
