Thomas Leo Strapple, 93, of Duluth, passed away on July 22, 2017, at Edgewood Vista. Tom was born in Nanty Glo, PA to William & Marie Straple on January 28, 1924. He went to high school at Nanty Glo High School and graduated in 1942. He served in the Army and tested bombs during WWII. He went on to earn a degree from the Chicago School of Business. He worked as a Transportation Manager at the Air Base. Tom stayed busy: He tested milk for the Dairy Herd Improvement Association, drove a school bus for the Proctor School District as a substitute, was cub master for Pack 100, town supervisor for Solway Township, treasurer for South St. Louis County 4-H Federation, and lector at St. Raphael's Church. He held 10 different Knights of Columbus positions with 67 years of Faithful service; he entered the Minnesota Fourth Degree Hall of Fame in 1996. Tom and his wife, Helen, loved to go ballroom dancing. Tom's grandchildren & great-grandchildren were his pride and joy. Tom was preceded in death by his wife, Helen; brothers, Charles, William, James, Leonard, Albert, and Fredrick. Tom is survived by his children, Carol Kline, Tom (Elyse) Strapple, Bill (Shelly) Strapple, Betty (Troy) Chalstrom; grandchildren, Matt (Dawn), Eric, James (Jenny), Niki (Pete), Danny (Niki), Kelsey, Ryan (Amanda), Steph, Samantha, and Jack; great-grandchildren, Tucker and Isla; brother, Patrick (MaryLou); and many nieces and nephews. VISITATION: 5 to 7 pm Thursday, July 27th at Sunrise Funeral Home, 4798 Miller Trunk Hwy, Hermantown, to continue 10 am Friday, July 28th at St. Raphael's Church, 5779 Seville Rd, Hermantown, with a funeral mass to follow at 11am.
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