Ron Strom, 79, passed away peacefully with his loving family by his side after a brief battle with Acute Myeloid Leukemia (AML).
Ron was born in Two Harbors, Minnesota. Ron excelled in everything he did throughout his lifetime. At Two Harbors High School, he was the point guard on the basketball team and the quarterback of the football team. He was mentored by teacher and coach Chuck Halsted and was so proud to have played basketball under Coach Lute Olson.
In 1965, Ron married his high school sweetheart Mary Ann Koski when they were 19 and 20 years old. Ron went on to attend Rochester Community College. He was a walk-on for the RCC basketball team and was an all-star starting player. After two years, he transferred to St. Cloud State University to earn his Bachelor of Science degree in education.
Teaching, mentoring and coaching were something that always came natural to him. His first teaching job was in Sauk Rapids, MN as a Physical Education teacher.
From there, his athletic abilities propelled him into the health club industry. With his proficient athletic skills, he gained prominence in the sport of racquetball, becoming the first State Racquetball champion.
After several victories in the sport, he was hired on a handshake agreement by Marv Wolfenson and Harvey Ratner. Ron was the first racquetball instructor at the Northwest Racquet Swim and Health Clubs throughout the Twin Cities. He later became Director of Sports and Recreation for the entire organization for 25 years.
In 1988, Ron was inducted into the first Racquetball Hall of Fame. Over many years, Ron became a State, Regional and National Racquetball champion, winning tournaments all over the country.
He was proud to be sponsored by Nike. Ron also coached his two children and granddaughter in basketball, t-ball and racquetball and was their biggest cheerleader and supporter in all of their sports and activities over the years. Ron and Mary Ann had a wonderful 59 years of marriage.
They were active at West-wood Lutheran Church, loved to travel and dance, family adventures and enjoyed their cabin in Two Harbors. He enjoyed a full and active life until his very recent illness. Ron was a firm believer in making health and fitness a major part of his life. Until the very end, he worked out at the health club six days a week. He never met a stranger.
Ron had a true affection for helping out those in need and genuinely helping the “underdog.” Ron was preceded in death by his parents, Olaf and Sylvia Strom, his brother James and special uncle Roy Strand. He is survived by his loving wife Mary Ann, their two children Andrea Strom Arabanos (Scott Oeffling) and Adam Strom, his granddaughter Callahan Creech, his sister Suzie (Lonnie) Jones, his nieces Lonyll (Brian) Johnson, Tricia (Dick) Kempfert and his nieces Olivia (Clay) Lewandowski, Erika Johnson and nephew Gunnar Kempfert, many friends that spanned the country and his friends at the health club. Services were held on Monday, June 24, 2024.
