Leslie C Stromberg

Mentor, roll model, avid outdoorsman and family patriarch, Leslie Stromberg, age 95 of Grangeville, passed away from complications of RSV on December 20, 2022 in the loving company of family and compassionate care at Syringa Hospital. 

Born November 9, 1927 near Iron River, Michigan, he was the oldest of three sons born to Swedish parents, Charles and Linda (Westerlund) Stromberg. Brother Gerald followed in 1933 with Glen in 1937. His youth was spent working the family farm in the UP of Michigan.

He graduated from Stambaugh high school in 1945 and worked at horse logging until called to military service in 1946. He served sixteen months with the Army First Cavalry division, four weeks of that in crossing the Pacific by ship and back, in the occupation of Tokyo, Japan. He witnessed first-hand the devastation of the atomic bomb.

Leslie married Juliamae Pottala February 10, 1950.  They met while both working in logging camps; she as a cook and he as a sawyer. Following their marriage, Leslie spent time working in underground iron ore mines of the area.  Their daughter, Lois, was born in December 1950 followed fourteen months later by son, Carl, in February 1952. The couple and their young family traveled to Orofino in 1953.  Finding no work there the Stromberg’s moved to Grangeville.

As sawyers in the Joseph/Boles area, Les and brother-in-law Toivo Pottala began their logging careers felling virgin pine. Later the Pottala-Stromberg Logging Company was formed and operated until the partners separated and formed their individual companies in the late 1960’s. Leslie ran a successful logging operation, a firm and fair employer, retiring from that profession in 1990. His wife Julia passed away in January of 2010 just short of 60 years of marriage.

Thrifty and frugal, Les was also generous, donating to many organizations. He was particularly partial to Native American causes, especially those supporting children and Veterans.

Leslie was preceded in death by his parents, wife, brother Glen, in-laws Toivo, Ruth, Carl, Jack and Dorothy Pottala; great niece Tammy Frost and great nephew Kyle Pottala.

He is loved and missed by surviving brother Gerald (Germaine) Stromberg; his children Lois (Dick) Geary and Carl Stromberg; grandchildren Kelcey Edwards, Darbey (Lisa) Edwards, Heather (Tom) Madden and Eric (Amy) Sundgren; great-grandchildren Brennan and Joseph Edwards, Emma Edwards, Michael, Taylor and Alex Madden and Jordan Sundgren.  Also surviving are special sister-in-law Joyce Pottala, nephews Larry Allen, Chuck (Phyliss) Pottala and niece Sharon Melin, all of Idaho. Treasured nephews and nieces in Michigan and Wisconsin include Conrad, Randy, Jeff and Dale Stromberg, Cindy Wheeler and Lisa Keuttel. And last but most especially he is missed by his rescue fur buddy Jake.

A graveside service will be held Monday, May 22, 2023 at 11:00 am at Mt. Idaho Cemetery. Light refreshments will follow at the Super 8 Motel Banquet Room. Arrangements are under the direction of the Blackmer Funeral Home, Grangeville. Send condolences to the family at blackmerfuneralhome.com.

Because Leslie loved and cared for many pets and animals, suggesting donations to the Animal Rescue Foundation, Inc., PO Box 72, Grangeville, Idaho 83530 make sense to the family.

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