Obituaries

Kristin Chase Strom

Kristina Strom (74) died on November 23, 2023. After overcoming stage 4 cancer, she ultimately succumbed to complications from pneumonia. She was Michael Del Favero’s loving significant other of 30+ years; mother of Kia, Kamala (Clint), Kimberly, and Kara (Carl); stepmother of Mike (Jenna), Melissa (Shane), and Matt; “Gamma Gramma” of Carter, Auggie, Bodhi, Benjamin, and Isaac; and “Nonna Kris” of Audrey, Aiden, Jacob, Annabelle, Ashton, and Olivia. She was the daughter of the late Raymond and Lois Strom and the sister of Marty, Jon (Leslie), Doug, Steve (Jane), Alan, and Wally (Angela). She leaves behind beloved cousins, nieces, nephews, grand niblings, and friends.

Kristina was educated at Wells College, University of Cincinnati, Edgecliff College, and University of Science and Philosophy. She worked in the verbal and visual arts for 50+ years. She published two books and was a prolific editor. A woman ahead of her time, she co-owned New World Foods in the early 70s and was an astrologer and metaphysical teacher. Kristina lived and traveled throughout North America before becoming a resident of Glendale for 44 years.

Kristina was a radiant spirit who never knew a stranger, exuding warmth to all. She was an award-winning quilter, voracious reader, music lover, great dancer, and enthusiastic poker player. She was incredibly spiritual and officiated many weddings. Kristina was a talented cook and baker. An environmentalist, she loved to garden, commune with nature, and spend time with animals, particularly her pet cats. Above all she cherished being a mom and was a lifelong teacher to her four daughters. She instilled in them a strong sense of social justice, civic responsibility, and compassion for humans, animals, and our planet.

In lieu of flowers, please donate to your local Indigenous community, food bank, or RIP Medical Debt, an organization focused on the elimination of personal medical debt. Memorial will be held on May 4th. If you are interested in memorial details or want to share condolences, please contact the family at memoriesofkristinastrom@gmail.com.

Barbara Strom Thompson

THOMPSON, BARBARA STROM (Age 60) Barbara Strom Thompson of Bethesda, Maryland, died peacefully on January 5, 2015, at Suburban Hospital in Bethesda, following a courageous, year-long battle with ovarian cancer. Her beloved husband of thirty-five years, Peter Thompson, and cherished daughter Anna Thompson of Philadelphia, PA, were at her side at the time of her death. Barbara was a native of Cincinnati, Ohio, the daughter of Robert Strom and the late Jean Strom. She graduated in 1972 from the public schools of Wyoming, Ohio (a Cincinnati suburb) along with her future husband, whom she had met when they were neighbors at age eight. She earned her undergraduate degree in English, cum laude, from Ohio University in 1976, and subsequently earned two Masters degrees, one from the University of Cincinnati in 1978, and another from Georgetown University in 1993. Her degree from the University of Cincinnati, in Early Childhood Education, provided the springboard to a long career that was focused on service to children and families, including work in Day Care Licensing for the State of Ohio and, after moving to Washington, DC, in 1985, the establishment of a successful consulting practice in which she helped parents and families navigate their way through the challenges of early childhood. One of her proudest accomplishments was the establishment of Friendship Camp, a summer day camp for young girls that was sponsored by the Parent Encouragement Program of Kensington, Maryland. The camp ran each summer for almost twenty years and focused on fostering leadership and social skills and on encouraging the sort of independent, child-directed play that once flourished in American neighborhoods but has become all too rare in the modern era. She also was a tireless volunteer, serving as the head of the Sidwell Friends School Parents Association in 2001-02, a board member of the Washington Area Women's Foundation, and in multiple capacities for her beloved alma mater, Ohio University. While serving as a Trustee of the Ohio University Foundation, she helped launch, and ultimately chaired, a highly successful initiative known as Women in Philanthropy, dedicated to fostering the increased philanthropic engagement of women in the life and work of the university. In recognition of her efforts, she was named Ohio University's Alumna of the Year in 2012, an honor made all the more sweet by the fact that it included a featured position in the annual Homecoming parade, riding in the back of a beautiful vintage Corvette convertible. Barbara is survived by her husband Peter and daughter Anna, and also by her father, Robert Strom of Cincinnati, four siblings, Sue (Wayne) Beard, Marcia (Tom) Crosby, Robert (Paula) Strom, and Olaf (Marianne) Strom, all of Cincinnati, fourteen beloved nieces and nephews, five cherished great nieces and nephews, and in-laws, aunts, uncles, and cousins with whom she was very close. She also leaves behind a large and loving circle of friends. A memorial service in Barbara's honor will be held on Saturday, January 17, 2015, at the Sidwell Friends School Meeting House, 3825 Wisconsin Avenue, NW, Washington, DC 20016. In lieu of flowers, the family asks that friends consider donating to the Washington Area Women's Foundation, Washington, DC; the Women in Philanthropy Endowment of the Ohio University Foundation, Athens, Ohio; or the Foundation for Women's Cancer, Chicago, Illinois.

Robert William Strom

Robert William Strom, age 93, formerly of Wyoming, OH, more recently of Maple Knoll Village, passed away Wednesday, November 29, 2017. He was born November 20, 1924, in Ashland, WI, the son of Olaf and Mary Strom.

He graduated from Ashland High School in 1942, and enlisted in the Army Air Corps the day after his 18th birthday. During WWII he served with the 8th Air Force as a B17 bombardier. He was based in England and flew 35 combat missions over France, Belgium, and Germany. The Air Force awarded him the medal with 5 Oak Leaf Clusters.

After the war, he married his high school sweetheart, Jean Reardon, and they headed to Michigan Tech, where he earned a degree in mechanical engineering. They moved to Cincinnati, where he worked in the Aircraft Engine Group at General Electric for 37 years. He was a member of the Wyoming Presbyterian Church in Wyoming, OH, and attended the Delta Church in Delta, WI, during the summer.

He enjoyed spending time at his cottage in Wisconsin every summer with family. He stayed active with woodcarving, Metallic Club, activities at Maple Knoll, and cheering on the Green Bay Packers. He most enjoyed spending time with his family, especially going to his grandchildren’s activities, sporting and scholastic events, birthday parties, and holiday celebrations.

He was preceded in death by his beloved wife of 63 years, Jean Reardon Strom, and his beloved daughter, Barbara (Peter) Thompson. Also preceding him were his brothers, Bertil, Wallace and Raymond.

He is survived by his sister Marion (Tom) Zinnecker; four children, Sue (Wayne) Beard of Wyoming, OH, Marcia (Thomas) Crosby of Mildford, OH, Robert C. (Paula) Strom of Finneytown, OH, and Olaf (Marianne) Strom of Wyoming, OH; 10 grandchildren, Emily (Steve) Morgan, Sarah (David) Downs, Anna (Bradley) Pearson, Robert E. Strom, Haley (Ben Cooper) Strom, Cecelia (Braden) Lee, Olaf Alexander Strom, Hannah Strom, Sameul Strom, and Natalie Strom; 7 great-grandchildren, Lily Morgan, Will Morgan, Anne Crosby Downs, Wesley Downs, Cora Cooper, Ida Cooper, and Grayson Lee; and numerous nieces and nephews.

A funeral service will be held on Saturday, December 16, 2017 at the United Presbyterian-Congregational Church in Ashland, WI at 11:00 AM with Pastor James Deter. Visitation will be held from 10:00-11:00 AM at the church. Military and graveside services will be at the Mt. Hope Cemetery in Ashland.

The Frost Home for Funerals is assisting the family with arrangements.

Marion Alice Strom Zinneker

Marion Alice (Strom) Zinnecker, 90, of Ashland, passed away peacefully at home on Friday, March 2nd, 2018. She was born on July 8th, 1927 in Ashland as the only daughter of Olaf and Mary (Hermanson) Strom. She was the baby sister of Bertil, Wallace, Raymond and Robert. They said she took over all their closets and all of their hearts. She was very proud to be born of hard working Swedish immigrants and of her Swedish heritage.

Marion attended Beaser School and graduated from Ashland High School in 1945. She started college at the University of Wisconsin before transferring to Northland College where she graduated in 1949. On June 17th, 1950, she married her college sweetheart Thomas Zinnecker. Tom’s teaching career brought them to Bonner’s Ferry, Idaho where they welcomed a daughter JoAnn before settling back in their hometown of Ashland to raise their children including three sons Paul, Jeffrey and Scott. She was an extremely dedicated mother and her children were her whole world.

The family cottage at Lake Millicent on the Pike Lake Chain in Iron River, WI was a very special place for Marion starting with spending summers there as a young adult with her growing family and continuing throughout her life including a special celebration this past summer for her 90th birthday surrounded by all of her family and many friends. She especially loved spending time with the extended Strom family that visit Lake Millicent each summer. Marion was very smart and had a kind and loving heart. The loss of a beautiful newborn strengthened her already strong faith in God. She practiced her faith through making beautiful tapestries for the church, altar guild work, teaching Sunday School, and many other volunteer endeavors outside of the church including at the animal shelter and at the hospital in the gift shop, at the welcome desk, and by organizing grade school tours. She loved to read, was an avid Green Bay Packer fan, and had a very strong connection with animals. She especially adored her sweet Kallie cat.

Family always came first for Marion and she is survived by her loving and devoted husband of 67 years, Thomas and their children JoAnn “Jozie” (Devan) Dutra of Janesville, WI, Paul (Deborah) Zinnecker of Lubbock, TX, Jeffrey (Lori) Zinnecker of Oak Grove, MN, and Scott “Ott” Zinnecker of Ashland. She will be deeply missed by her grandchildren Mary Joy Zinnecker and daughters Kaitlyn and Mariah, Michael (Rebekah) Zinnecker and children Carson, Cayenne, Millicent, Madeline, and Talon, Matthew (Liz) Dutra, Mark (Kamerae) Zinnecker and children Kathrine and Dewey, Adam (Melissa) Zinnecker and son Logan, Jennah (Joe) Brooks and daughter Hazel and baby boy Brooks due in June, and Karli Zinnecker. Marion is also survived by daughter-in-law Jeanne Spruell and many nieces, nephews, special friends and caregivers. Marion was preceded in death by her parents, siblings, precious infant daughter Patti Marie, and special grandson Nathan Dutra.

In lieu of flowers, memorials to Chequamegon Humane Association are preferred. A Memorial Service will be held at 12:00 pm on Saturday, March 10, 2018 at Good Shepherd Lutheran Church in Ashland with Pastor Dale Chesley officiating. Visitation one hour prior to service from 11:00 am to noon. Spring inurnment at Mt. Hope Cemetery in Ashland.

The Frost Home for Funerals is assisting the family with arrangements.

Thomas Arthur Zinnecker

Thomas Arthur Zinnecker ( January 4, 1926 - September 26, 2022 )

Thomas Arthur Zinnecker, 96, of Ashland, passed away peacefully at Miller Dwan Hospital, Duluth, MN on Monday, September 26th, 2022. He was born on January 4th, 1926 in Ashland as the only son of Alex and Martha (Beiersdorff) Zinnecker joining his two sisters, Phyllis and Marian.

Tom graduated from Ashland High School in 1944. Immediately following high school, Tom joined the Marine Corps, serving as a Corporal in the 27th regiment of the 5th Marine division during World War II. He fought in the Battle of Iwo Jima and was part of the occupation of Japan after the war. He witnessed the iconic flag raising atop Mount Suribachi. Following his discharge from the Marines in 1946, Tom pursued a teaching degree at Northland College from 1946-1950. On June 17th, 1950, he married his college sweetheart Marion Strom and together they raised four children, daughter JoAnn and three sons, Paul, Jeffrey and Scott. Tom spent one year teaching in Bonner’s Ferry, Idaho before returning to northern Wisconsin where Tom taught at Ondossagon School from 1952-1955 followed by 32 years of teaching and coaching at Ashland High School until his retirement in 1987. In May of 1987, the State of Wisconsin Department of Public Instruction honored Tom for 35 years of service to the education of Wisconsin youth. In June of 2014, Tom took part in an Honor Flight event to Washington D.C. visiting the WWII memorials and being honored for his service.

Mostly known for his coaching in golf and tennis, Tom was also very active with youth basketball. He coached middle school basketball and started the Saturday “Rec” basketball program at the Dodd gym in 1955 and stayed with it, opening the gym many Saturday mornings, until his retirement. As a player, he went to State for tennis as an independent individual player as Ashland did not have a tennis program and upon his return to Ashland as a teacher and coach, he was key in the tennis program’s creation. He was a standout basketball player known for being the first player in Ashland to use the “one hand push shot” which translates to the modern day jump shot. Besides playing basketball and tennis, he even suited up one year for football. He played basketball at Northland College and was the team captain his junior and senior years. In his adult years, he was an Elk’s club champion several times including one year winning both the club championship and the senior championship in back to back weeks. He held the series bowling record at Monks Lanes for many years with a score of 726. He was even an exceptional pool shot known for his amazing defensive game. He was a referee and ran the scoreboard at the high school for many years.

Tom is survived by his children JoAnn “Jozie” (Devan) Dutra of Janesville, WI, Paul (Deborah) Zinnecker of Lubbock, TX, Jeffrey (Lori) Zinnecker of Blaine, MN, and Scott “Ott” Zinnecker of Ashland. He will be missed by grandchildren Mary Zinnecker and daughters Kaitlyn and Mariah, Michael (Rebekah) Zinnecker and children Carson, Cayenne, Millicent, Madeline, Talon and Trinity, Matthew (Liz) Dutra and son Lincoln, Mark (Kamerae) Zinnecker and children Kathrine and Dewey, Adam (Melissa) Zinnecker and children Logan and Hailey, Jennah (Joe) Brooks and children Hazel, Oakley Thomas and Beckham, and Karli (Caleb) Osborn. Tom is also survived by many nieces, nephews, special friends and former students.

Tom was preceded in death by his beloved wife of 67 years, Marion, his parents, sisters Phyllis Baumann and Marian Waitanek, precious infant daughter Patti Marie, and special grandson Nathan Dutra.

A celebration of life service will be held on Saturday, May 20, 2023 at 11:00 A.M. at the Good Shepherd Lutheran Church in Ashland with Pastor Rachel Sieja officiating. Visitation will be from 10:00 – 11:00 A.M., Saturday at the church. Inurnment and a United Chequamegon Bay Area Veterans Service will follow at the Mt. Hope Cemetery in Ashland.

Memorial donations are preferred to Faith in Action – Ashland County or to the Ashland Historical Society.

A special thank you goes out to Meals on Wheels and to Scott Zinnecker for helping care for dad in his final years.

The Frost Home for Funerals in Ashland, WI is assisting the family with arrangements. To view this obituary online, sign the guestbook or express online condolences, visit us at www.bratleyfamilyfuneralhomes.com