Memorials may be given in Mary Ann’s name to St. Jude’s Children’s Hospital or Shriner’s Hospitals for Children.
Mary Ann Strom, was born in rural Palo Alto County, Iowa on the family farm near Rodman on December 26, 1931 to Francis and Emma (Hartman) O’Connor. She passed away on February 21, 2025 at Accura Care Center in Spirit Lake, Iowa at the age of 93.
Mary Ann attended schools in Whittemore and Rodman, graduating in 1949. Shortly after graduation, she moved to Estherville and began working at the coffee shop in the Gardston Hotel. On November 1, 1953, she started her 65-year career working at Estherville Drug. While working there she met a handsome man named Glenn Strom, the couple was wed in September of 1959 in Jackson, Minnesota and made their home in Estherville. Mary Ann walked to work daily and was a staple at the drug store. She was always very helpful to the customers and very knowledgeable about cosmetics and giftware.
Mary Ann and Glenn enjoyed traveling together, taking trips all over the world. When Glenn became ill, Mary Ann was a devoted wife and took care of him in their home until his death on August 22, 1994. Mary Ann continued to live in her home, with her spoiled dachshund, Lucky. Traveling with friends now, she continued to explore trips abroad and throughout the country, collecting spoons from each trip. Mary Ann worked at Estherville Drug until August 31, 2018, retiring at the age of 86. Throughout the years she saw many changes at the store and was able to adapt and enjoyed going to work most days!
Mary Ann was a lifelong member of the Catholic faith, and a member of St. Patrick’s Catholic Church in Estherville. Mary Ann could be frequently seen walking to work, church, or just taking Lucky around the block. She always had a smile for a friend or customer. To know Mary Ann was to love Mary Ann.
Mary Ann is survived by her sister Margaret (Gene) Ferrel of Paducah, KY; sister-in-law, Diana O’Connor (wife of John) of Victoria, MN; and many nieces and nephews.
Mary Ann is preceded in death by her husband Glenn Strom; her parents Francis and Emma; and her siblings Edward O’Connor, John O’Connor, Helen (Henry) Bragdon, and Shirley (William) Fisher.
Visitation
Saturday, March 1, 2025 at 9:30AM – 10:30AM
St. Patrick’s Catholic Church
903 Central Ave.
ESTHERVILLE
Service
Saturday, March 1, 2025 at 10:30AM
St. Patrick’s Catholic Church
903 Central Ave.
ESTHERVILLE
henryolsonfuneral.com