Wanda Mae Stroot

Wanda Stroot, age 88, of Crookston, MN, passed away peacefully on September 27, at the Benedictine Living Community in Crookston.

Wanda Mae Wallace was born on September 16, 1934, in Grand Forks, ND, to Earl and Florence (Allen) Wallace. Wanda’s mother passed away when she was two, and she went to live with her Grandma Fieman in Euclid, MN. She attended school in Euclid until the 8th grade; she then attended Crookston Central High School and graduated in 1952. Wanda met William (Bill) Stroot during her high school years. The fall after her graduation, they were united in marriage on October 23, 1952.

Wanda and Bill lived on the Stroot farmstead near Euclid. Wanda was a busy farmwife, helping out on the farm, tending to her multiple flower gardens, growing fresh vegetables for the family, and raising five children. She worked at Jiffy Fry (Simplot in later years) in Crookston during the winter months until the mid 1970s. Wanda started her career in food service at the Best Western (Northland Lodge) as the assistant cook/salad girl. Wanda and Bill moved to Crookston in 1981. Shortly after, she started her own business, the Polk County Courthouse Coffee Shop with home cooked meals and baked goods. Bill would open the shop every morning until he became too ill, and sadly passed away in 1992. Wanda would continue to operate the Coffee Shop for a few more years, before closing the shop in 1997. She would then semi-retire and go work at the RiverView Hospital cafeteria and officially retire in May of 2014 at the age of 79.

Wanda is survived by her children: Diane (Keith) Dahlin of Euclid, MN; Betty Stroot of Crookston, MN; Duane (Rennae Ramsey) Stroot of Crookston, MN; Maribeth Melbye of Crookston, MN; grandchildren: Steven, Angie, Kevin, Kyle, Craig, Erica, Lacie, Shannon, Aaron, Krystal, Miranda, Jamie, Jordan, Beau; great-grandchildren: Tanner, Brielle, Ethan, Castor, Avery, Case, Jack, Hudson, Mia, Nathan, Alexis, Allison, Nicole, Teagan, Brooklyn, Abby, Dawson, Braden, Colton, Emma, Emmy; brothers: Conrad (Sherry) Wallace; Kenneth (Corliss) Wallace; sisters-in-law Mary Jo Wallace, and Clarice Ellingson; many nieces, and nephews and extended family.

She was preceded in death by her parents, husband, son Ron, brothers: William Wallace, Duane Wallace, Donald Wallace, James Wallace; son-in-law Carl Melbye; great-grandchildren: Nicholas, Bristol, James, Christian; and many of Bill’s siblings.

Mass of Christian Burial will be at 11:00 a.m. on Monday, October 3, at St. Mary’s Catholic Church in Euclid.

Visitation will be from 5:00-7:00 p.m. on Sunday, October 2, at Stenshoel-Houske Funeral Home in Crookston, with a prayer service at 7:00 p.m. Visitation will continue from 10:00-11:00 a.m. on Monday at the church in Euclid. Burial will be at Calvary Cemetery in Crookston.

The Stroot family would like to express their thanks and gratitude for the excellent care provided by Dr. Fasharo of Riverview, by the staff of Benedictine Living Community of Crookston in her later years, and to the Hospice of the Red River Valley for the care of her last days. Memorials are preferred to: Hospice of the Red River Valley, or the Memory Care unit at Benedictine Living Community of Crookston.