Kenneth Vernon Strom

Kenneth was born in Idaho Falls to Nels and Ester Strom on April 19, 1927. Ester died in 1930 from pneumonia which caused Nels to request help from the children's home in Boise, Idaho, for dad and his one brother and two sisters. After spending a year in Boise, Kenneth and his siblings were brought back home. Kenneth was sent to Salt Lake City to live with his grandparents and attend school.

When World War II broke out, he joined the U.S. Marine Corps and was sent to the South Pacific in December 1942. He saw action in Guadalcanal, Bougainville, Guam, Saipan and Iwo Jima, where he was wounded and put in for the Purple Heart. He returned to Idaho Falls after turning down a commission in the Marine Corps, San Diego, California.

He married Geraldine Collins on Dec. 29, 1945, and was a farm hand until 1948 when he started working for the U.S. Postal Service as a rural mail carrier. He retired in 1982. After his retirement, he served as a volunteer chaplain for 15 years.

Kenneth is survived by his son, Bradley K. (Mary Ellen) Strom, and daughter, Brenda K. (David) Rhoades.

He was preceded in death by his parents, one brother and two sisters. The love of his life, Geraldine C Strom, passed away May 11, 2012. His large family consists of 10 grandchildren, 21 great-grandchildren, 10 great-great-grandchildren. All will miss him and his love.

Viewing will be held from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. Monday, Feb. 13, at Buck-Miller-Hann on 17th Street. Memorial Service will be held at 11 a.m. Tuesday at Trinity United Methodist Church, 237 N. Water St.

In lieu of flowers, the family asks that contributions be made to Hospice of Eastern Idaho, 1087 Curlew Drive, Ammon, ID 83406.