Richard “Dick” J. Stromberg, age 84, of Tomahawk, WI, passed away on Thursday, April 2, 2026, at Milestone Assisted Living under the care of his family and Compassus Hospice. Dick was born on July 21, 1941, in Chicago, IL, to the late Albin and Rosalie (Piotrowski) Stromberg. In 1955, he moved with his family to a farm in the Town of Spirit, WI. He attended Prentice High School and went on to dedicate 42 years of employment to the PCA paper mill in Tomahawk.
Dick was united in marriage to Patricia Belliveau and together, they had two daughters, Susan and Debra. They later divorced. He married Carol (Roberts) Wurster on March 5, 1971; she passed away in 2021. Dick and Carol shared a love of travel and adventure spending cherished time in Alaska where they owned a summer home. Their journeys also took them to Hawaii, Ireland, and Canada, along with many camping trips across the United States with family.
An avid outdoorsman, Dick especially loved fishing the waters of Alaska and Lake Michigan. He was known as an exceptional mechanic always ready to lend a hand or share his knowledge. Friends and co-workers frequently turned to him for advice or brought their vehicles to him where he offered his time and expertise. He took great pride in rebuilding a Model A and his inventive mind led him to patent two tools. Racing was one of Dick’s greatest passions. As a stock car driver at Tomahawk Speedway, he enjoyed many successes including winning the Class B Championship in 1963. His adventurous spirit extended to the skies as well. Holding a pilot’s license and owning an airplane, Dick traveled extensively with Carol. Among the many stories that defined his life, one stands out when an unexpected engine failure threatened the flight, but Dick’s calm demeanor never wavered and he guided the airplane to a safe landing. He was a proud member of the Friends of the Tomahawk Airport Club (FOTA) and a faithful member of Redeemer Evangelical Lutheran Church. He will be remembered for his great sense of humor, always ready with a joke or a story to share.
Survivors include his children, Susan (John) Madej, of Wausau, WI, Debra (James) Menebroeker, of Tomahawk, WI, and Carol Ann (Robert) Hansmann, of Tomahawk, WI; his stepchildren, JoAnne (Mark) Bennett, of Richardson, TX, and James (Jean) Wurster, of Tomahawk, WI; and his sons-in-law, Charlie McCoy, of Charlotte, NC, and Allyn Cheeseman, of Kenai, AK. Dick is further survived by his grandchildren, Jamie (Jonathan) Lutz, Lindsey (Ed) Minser, Ryan (Allison) Menebroeker, Derek Menebroeker, Morgan Hansmann, Lauren Hansmann, Jess Simon, and Sophie Madej; his step-grandchildren, Madison (Josh) Eighmie, Mason Cheeseman, Kala (Ryan) Harding, Levi (Kelli) Rapp, Cody (Alison) Wurster, and Kyle Wurster; his great-grandchildren, Alice Lutz, James Lutz, Mae Minser, Sadie Minser, Eloise Minser, Stella Menebroeker, and Hans Menebroeker; and his step great-grandchildren, Emma Eighmie, Elija Eighmie, Landon Rapp, Adalyn Wurster, and Cora Ann Wurster. He was preceded in death by his parents, Albin and Rosalie; his wife, Carol Stromberg; his stepdaughters, Barbara McCoy and Karen Cheeseman; and his brothers-in-law and sisters-in-law, Pete and Blanche VanRyan and Richard and Jeanne Peters.
A memorial service will be held on Monday, April 13, 2026, at 12:00 PM, at Redeemer Evangelical Lutheran Church. Rev. Mark Gass will officiate. The family will receive friends for visitation from 10:00 AM until the time of services at 12:00 PM. Inurnment will be held at Greenwood Cemetery at a later date. Generations Funeral Home & Crematory is assisting the family. You may view Dick’s obituary and leave online condolences at generationsfuneral.com.
