Everett Stromme
August 14, 1925 ~ August 20, 2025
Born in:
Kief, North Dakota
Resided in:
Fargo, North Dakota
Everett E. Stromme passed away peacefully on Wednesday, August 20, 2025, at the age of 100.
Everett was born on August 14, 1925, to Alice (Stahlarenko) and Peter Stromme in a slant roofed two room farmhouse seven miles south of Kief, ND along with his siblings Amy, Carl, Ralph, and Earl.
Throughout his life, Everett loved to tell stories about those early days on the farm, from tending a team of horses to milking cows and walking three miles uphill both ways to the country school. He told these stories with a characteristic wry smile, as if both amused and amazed by his humble beginnings. One story that stood out was the time Everett and his brothers were working the field on a hot day. His father, concerned for the well-being of the horses, pulled the team off the field to rest. But while the horses received their well-deserved break in the barn the boys were sent back out to finish the work without the benefit of horsepower.
Everett enlisted in the U.S. Army on March 30, 1946, achieving the rank of Corporal, was honorably discharged. He attended Minot State College where he received his degree in education (and later his master’s from UND). While in Minot, ND Everett would meet Mavis, the love of his life. The story goes that they were in line to sign up for classes when he spotted her just in front of him. Known for striking up a conversation with any willing participant, Everett went with his go-to question, “…so where are you from?” Mavis knew that love was in the air, and the rest was history.
After starting his first teaching position in Underwood, ND, Everett was called back up to military service but this time by the North Dakota National Guard. He was sent to Alabama to serve as training cadre in 1951 achieving the rank of Sergeant First Class and honorably discharged in 1953. Training these younger men was yet another opportunity for Everett to exercise his God given talent to lead and foster minds, but this time for an even greater purpose…for his country, further galvanizing his lifelong journey as an educator.
While on furlough Everett and Mavis were married in Berthold, ND on May 20, 1951. They traveled back to Alabama as husband and wife to begin what would become a 74-year marriage together. They were blessed with two children, Shelley and Loni, and eventually 5 grandsons and 14 great-grandchildren. Everett’s career in education took off in North Dakota classrooms, where he taught, coached, and sometimes referred games. Recognized for his leadership and easy rapport with people, he moved into administration, serving as principal at schools across North Dakota and in Wisconsin. His professional career culminated when he became county superintendent in Kenmare, ND and eventually Minot, a position which he served until his retirement in the early 1990s. Throughout his life, Everett was a strong proponent of education, always encouraging those around him to work hard and pursue their highest educational goals.
In retirement, Everett and Mavis embraced the snowbird life, splitting time between North Dakota, Arizona, and Minnesota. They were warm, social people who were easy to get along with, and loved spending time with the network of fellow snowbird friends. Several times a week they would get together with other couples to play golf, host meals, play cards, have coffee, and visit. While Mavis was working her magic in the kitchen, Everett could be found on the patio grilling salmon or steak for friends and family who enjoyed peaceful evenings and great meals which were always shared with love. When not hosting friends or taking in a musical, Everett and Mavis loved to watch Phoenix Suns basketball games on TV, along with other favorite shows like Everybody Loves Raymond, Wheel of Fortune, and of course on Sunday evenings, the Lawrence Welk Show. Those who really knew Everett tried not to call during the Lawrence Welk Show, but if you did, he was always happy to drop what he was doing to visit.
Everett enjoyed other activities in sunny Arizona, such as attending the weekly guitar jam session and playing in the bocce ball league. He and Mavis loved to travel, even up into their late 80s, driving many thousands of miles across the country each year to visit family, to volunteer at the Norsk Høstfest Scandinavian Festival in Minot, as well as volunteering as visitor guides in Medora.
Throughout his life, Everett was always there to help friends and family, putting others’ needs before his own. While he could be tough, with high moral standards for personal behavior and work ethic, he showed the people around him what it means to be a kind, well-intentioned, and all-around decent man. To all that knew him, Everett’s life was defined above all by his deep love and unwavering devotion to his beloved wife, Mavis, who passed away in June of 2025. The two were inseparable and blessed each other daily through the countless small acts of commitment and affection that they displayed over an incredible 74 years of marriage. Through example, they taught others the meaning of grace, patience, generosity, and unconditional love. Everett and Mavis shared a wonderful life together.
Everett is preceded in death by his wife, Mavis; and daughter, Shelley Stumpf.
Everett is survived by son, Loni Stromme (Nancy) of St. Cloud, MN, along with their three sons, Ben (Julie) of Big Lake, MN, Jon (Trish) of New Hope, MN, and Rob of St. Cloud; Shelley’s two sons, Casey (Ruth) of Fargo and Tyler (Ruth) of McKinleyville, CA; 14 great grandchildren; and many other relatives and loved ones across the country.
Everett will be laid to rest at a private family graveside service at Fargo National Cemetery.
We got to know Everett and Mavis while delivering meals on wheels to them. They invited us in for coffee and that was the beginning of a friendship. Mavis set the table and Everett made the coffee. We had many interesting conversations about Kief and the different places they lived. We will miss those visits and Everett and Mavis will never be forgotten.