Charles Petrus Emanuel Strom was born on a very hot day, July 12, 1938 at the farm house of his parents, Herbie and Josie (Hansen) Strom, in Emmett Township, Union County, Beresford, SD. He was recently recognized as the oldest lifelong member of Dalesburg Lutheran Church where he was baptized as an infant and also confirmed on June 8, 1952 by Pastor Howard Youngblom.  He passed peacefully at his home in Vermillion, SD on June 10, 2024.

Charles was the oldest of seven children and attended Emmett Country School (8th grade). He graduated from Beresford High School in 1956 and went to South Dakota State College in Brookings, SD, from Sept. 1956 to May 1958.

The spring of 1958 he started farming until he joined the Vermillion National Guard on August 9, 1961. The guard was activated on October 1, 1961, and he spent the next ten months at Ft. Leonard Wood, MO, and Ft. Riley, KS, receiving a glowing letter of distinction from Colonel Hartline. He was released August 9, 1962.

He worked at Tabbert Construction Company in Sioux Falls from September 1962 until April 1963. He returned to farming the Harley and Trini Gylfe farm 15 mi. SW of Beresford where he and Jan lived until 2017 when they moved to Vermillion.

Charles enjoyed farming with his brothers Roger and Philip and also raised Registered Quarter Horses. He received his private pilot's license in 1969 and earned his commercial license in 1973. He also worked for the Clay County Conservation Service.

Always led by a servant's heart, Charles was on the Garfield Township Board; President of the Clay County Farm Bureau; President, Treasurer, Sunday School Teacher, Luther League Counselor and the Cemetery Board for Dalesburg Lutheran Church, Luther League production of "Tell It Like It Is", Dalesburg Midsummer celebration which included hosting guests, folk dancing, flag and stage decorating, enjoying the music with a piece of peach pie.

Flying led to many adventures and he would assist with transporting clients from Yankton Livestock and a few other dignitaries but more importantly provided special experiences for many friends and family.  Charles' favorite passions were riding and driving horses, fishing, and camping in the Black Hills, his special "heaven on earth".

On August 26, 1962, he married Janice Arlene Sandbo at First Lutheran Church, Sioux Falls, SD. They spent many a summer evening at the end of the driveway sitting in the pickup, eating chips and salsa while watching a thunderstorm roll in and more recently chasing the beauty of a full moon or a rainbow – taking joy in God's beautiful creations.

Charles was preceded in death by his father and mother; son-in-law, David Carlson (Marcia); brothers Roger and Raymond Strom; niece, Jenna Williams and sister-in-law Kay White.

Among those who survive and were blessed to share his life are his wife, Jan; children, Marcia Riendeau (Bruce) and Lorna Arsenault (Gavin); grandchildren Daniel and Erica Carlson; Hannah Bowen (Austin) and Ty Arsenault. Also, his siblings and their spouses Sandy Strom (Roger), Philip & Dorothy Strom, Beresford; Elizabeth & Howard Hubbell, Brandon; Emilie & Brad Bak and Sarah & Morris Bonine also of Beresford. His loving influence and charming character will also be deeply missed by his nieces, nephews, cousins and close friends.

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to Dalesburg Lutheran Church, the Dalesburg Cemetery, the HealthWell Foundation in honor of Jan (www.healthwellfoundation.org) or the charity of your choice.

Memorial services will be held at 11AM Saturday, June 15, 2024 at Dalesburg Lutheran Church, rural Vermillion, SD. Visitation will be 9-11AM at the church.