In the early morning on Veterans Day, November 11, 2015, Walter Stromberg was called home to our Heavenly Father, joining his fellow veterans from our “Greatest Generation.” Walt was two weeks shy of his 92nd birthday.
Walter Albert Stromberg was born November 26, 1923 in Anaconda, Montana to Swedish immigrants John and Hilma Stromberg. The youngest of six siblings, his mother often confided, “I was a little sad to learn there would be another baby, but then we loved him best of all!” The Stromberg home in Goosetown, in the shadow of the Anaconda Smoke Stack, was warm and welcoming, full of love and laughter. Walt enjoyed countless fishing and hunting adventures in the Pintlars with his Dad and older brothers.
Walt graduated from Anaconda High School in 1943 where he played football and pole vaulted. Like his three older brothers, Walt served in WWII. He was drafted in 1944 and served in the U.S. Army under General Patton’s 3rd Army, 90th infantry, 358th Regiment, L Company. He bravely fought in the Battle of the Bulge in Belgium and Germany where he received the Purple Heart. He was also awarded two Bronze Service Stars for Gallantry in Action. When his children asked what he did in the Army, he replied, “I traded in my cigarettes and made lemonade in my helmet.”
Following his military service, Walt returned to his beloved Montana and graduated from the Butte Business College. He then began a 30-year career with the U.S. Internal Revenue Service in Glendive. He was later transferred to Helena and met his future wife, Betty Jane Nelson, on a blind date.
Walt and Betty Jane were married in April of 1954 in Las Vegas, Nevada. They were blessed with three children, Sonja, Wally and Jody. The focus of their life together was raising their family in a home filled with music, outdoor adventures and yearly vacations in the family station wagon. Their house on Hauser Boulevard was always full of children, their own as well as many cousins and neighborhood pals. A visiting grandmother once counted 21 youngsters running out the front door to greet her. Their home was always decorated for the holidays and has been the central gathering place for countless family celebrations.
After his retirement, Walt worked for the Montana Department of Revenue for 10 years.
Walt enjoyed fishing, bowling, swimming, golfing and bird hunting with his German Shorthairs, Zeke, Duke and Zeb. He was a lifelong Cleveland Indians baseball fan and enjoyed going to the horseraces.
Walt traveled extensively with his daughter Sonja, wife Betty Jane and sister-in-law Beth Scanlan. His favorite trips were to Sweden to reconnect with his many relatives. He adored his grandchildren and faithfully followed all of their sporting events from little league through college.
Walt was preceded in death by his parents; brothers Art, Alfred and John; sisters Ann Gates and Esther Pearson; sister-in-law Beth Scanlan and dear cousin Egon Sjöö. Walt is survived by his wife of sixty-one years, Betty Jane; son Wally; daughters Sonja (Dan DeWolf) and Jody (Rick Sandru); grandchildren Alexis (Luke Berger), Ty (Kayla), Joe, and Kjersten Sandru; great-grandson Ambrose Berger; sister-in-law Doris Buswell; and all his dear Swedish cousins, including Artur Klasson, Kerstin (Carl) Schou and Håkan Sjöö, and their families. “Uncle Wally” will be dearly missed by his nieces and nephews from Montana, California and Washington.
Walt’s love of life and genuine kindness are an inspiration to all who knew him. For the love that filled our home, we say, “Tack så mycket, Papa!” You will always be the best Dad EVER.
We offer a special thanks to the staff of the VA Montana Healthcare for their excellent and compassionate care of our Papa. In lieu of flowers, the family requests memorials to the V.A. Voluntary Services, Fort Harrison, P.O. Box 1500, Fort Harrison, MT, 59636-1500. His family will receive friends from 5:00 to 7:00 p.m. on Tuesday, November 17, 2015 at Anderson Stevenson Wilke Funeral Home, 3750 N. Montana Ave. Please visit below to offer the family a condolence or to share a memory of Walt.
Service Schedule
Burial with Military Honors
3:00 p.m.
Friday August 12, 2016
Montana State Veteran's Cemetery
Hero's Road
Helena, Montana 59602
Service Schedule
Burial with Military Honors
3:00 p.m.
Friday August 12, 2016
Montana State Veteran's Cemetery
Hero's Road
Helena, Montana 59602
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Art Thompson says
This was a true gentleman. I can only hope he passed away as peacefully as he lived.
I first knew Walt when I was welcomed into his home, as a friend of Soni, back in the 1980’s. He was a man of very few words. But there was always that twinkle in his eye. In the memories of Anaconda. On the prospects of the Cleveland Indians. Over the promise of his racehorse.
Above all, there was his family. The ones back home in Anaconda, and the one he built in Helena. Could there be a greater legacy. You know how I love you BJ, so I know you will understand when I say, it took an uncommon man. You are a force of nature. He was lucky to have you. And nobody knew that better than he.
To Ricky Roy and JoJo, to Waldo, to Dan and my ever loving So, cry for the loss and then rejoice. You were touched by grace and the simple goodness of a perfectly gentle man.
Shelley Van Atta says
I echo Artie’s sentiments, and offer my deepest sympathies for your loss. He had to have been a remarkable man to have raised such lovely, sweet children. God bless.
Lynn (Sturn) and Tom Campbell says
Dear Jody, Mrs Stromberg, Sonja, Wally and family, there are no words to comfort you at this time, my deepest sympathy to you all. Jody, I have fond, wonderful childhood memories of how welcome your Mom and Dad made me feel welcome at slumber parties at your house! I hope family and friends and faith with keep their loving arms around you during this hard time. Stay strong, God Bless, Lynn & Tom
Terry Lamping says
So very sorry for your loss. I remember Walt from years ago at the IRS. Such a very quiet and kind person. My thoughts and prayers are with you.
Roy & Danita Murray says
Jody and family. So sorry for your loss. It is so hard to lose a parent. Keep those memories close to your heart. Our thoughts and prayers are with you all.
Patrick Morris says
December 28, 2015
Just learned of Walt’s death. We grew up together in Goosetown, Anaconda. He was one of my closest friends. We kept touch through the years even though I left Anaconda after high school and military service, spent my career in the U.S. Foreign Service and retired in Washington DC. We got together on my visits to Montana and reminisced about our wonderful childhood in Anaconda. He was a wonderful and everlasting friend, always ready with a helping hand. I”ll miss you Wally, but it won’t be long before I join you.