Daniel (Dan) Dennis Strehlo

Daniel (Dan) Dennis Strehlo passed away March 7th, 2022, in Bemidji, Minnesota.  He was 69 years old. Dan was diagnosed with Parkinson’s disease in his 40s which contributed to his passing.  Dan was a devoted and loving, husband, father, grandfather, and friend.

A memorial for Mary, as well as her husband Dan who passed away in March, is planned for August 20th, at Diamond Point Park in Bemidji, from 1-5pm.  Please join the family to share fond memories of Mary and Dan.

Dan was born June 29th, 1952, in Baldwin, Wisconsin, to Opal and Walter Strehlo. He graduated from Baldwin-Woodville High School in 1970. Dan enlisted in the Army and was trained as a paratrooper and completed 29 army airborne jumps, with 24 in cold weather Alaska.

Dan married his love, Mary Ellen (Coleman), on April 5th, 1974, in Sitka, Alaska. Thereafter, Dan and his family, Mary and newborn son, Zachary, moved to Hudson, Wisconsin. Dan completed his bachelor's degree at University of Wisconsin River Falls in 1979 while living in Diamond Bluff, Wisconsin.

Dan started his career in manufacturing management and moved with his family, now including daughter, Erin Lea, to Glenwood, MN. His career took him through Minnesota towns Fairmont, Morris, St. Cloud, ending in Bemidji.

Dan enjoyed his time with friends and family. He started playing golf in his 20’s and played until his Parkinson’s was too severe for him to enjoy the game. He was an avid cook and later in life turned his culinary skill to winemaking for friends, and syrup for grandkids. Dan wrote many stories and poems to document his life and his love for Mary.

After his wife Mary’s multiple sclerosis became debilitating, Dan became her primary caregiver and continued to visit her many times daily after she moved to an assisted living home.

Throughout his life, Dan had been a member and volunteer in many organizations including Kiwanis, Toastmasters, Northwoods Caregivers, and an active member of the Democratic party.

Dan has 3 grandchildren, Violet, 13, Jake, 13 and newborn Oskar, 7 months. Dan enjoyed flying kites, fishing, baking cookies and picking strawberries with his grandchildren.

Dan is succeeded by his wife Mary, son Zach of Kirkland, WA, and his family, and daughter Erin of Peoria, IL, and her family. Surviving siblings, Therese, Janice, and Gary. His siblings Mary Ann, Elizabeth, Doris, Rosemary, William, Stanley, Allen, and Stephen preceded him in death.

In lieu of flowers please consider a donation to support Parkinson’s, https://www.parkinson.org/ or Multiple Sclerosis research,  National Multiple Sclerosis Society (nationalmssociety.org).

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