Mary Ann (Brdaric) Strom

Mary was born May 21, 1933 in West Allis, Wisconsin, the eldest of three children of John and Mary (Zdencar) Brdaric. Mary is survived by her husband Alger H. Strom (Gladstone), daughter Kim Wanke (N. Carolina), grandson Rodger Wanke (S. Carolina), brother Joseph Vogel (Escanaba) and many nieces and nephews. She was preceded in death by sons David and Kenneth Strom, brother George Brdaric, and mother Mary and stepfather Bill St. Jacques.

The Brdaric family lived in Trenary for a short time before moving to Escanaba where she graduated from High School in 1952. She met Alger Strom, the love of her life and husband of 72 years.They married in 1953 at the Lutheran Church in Gladstone.

After the birth of their first child, David, Alger entered the Army and was posted in Alaska for two years. The family lived in Anchorage, where their second child Kim was born at the base hospital during a blizzard. After Alger’s service, he attended Northern Michigan University and then they moved downstate to raise their children, which now included little brother Kenneth. After graduating Law School Alger, was employed as City Attorney for Pontiac, Michigan. After retirement Mary and Alger returned to Gladstone and settled back in the U.P.

Mary was known for seeing the positive in everyone and everything and she had a gift for making people feel special and appreciated. She was a wonderful involved mother and a loving supportive wife.

Mary had worked in the public schools as an assistant instructor for special needs students. She had a special gift in communicating with them and encouraging them to respond and engage. She developed a guide to introduce sign language to her non verbal students.

Mary was an asset to her community. She served on the Gladstone Friends Of The Library Board and was also involved with the children’s reading program. When the local National Guard was called to active duty Mary spoke with the sergeant in charge for permission to send off our boys with a goody bag. She got local ladies to knit the skull caps they needed for under their helmets, Porcupine Press donated issues of their magazine, and other necessities and goodies went in the bags. She was a frequent participant in Michigan’s Department of Natural Resources program. She attended the Outdoors Woman program at Baycliff Camp, meeting up with good friends and accompanied by her daughter another time.

Mary loved the outdoors and was open to any adventure and experience. Al shared her passion and they had great adventures together biking, hiking, skiing, snorkeling, scuba diving….in fact to celebrate their 80th birthdays they went skydiving!

Mary embraced life with a passion as a Grand Adventure. Even through hard times her positive outlook helped her bounce back to her smiling, laughing, happy self. Her joy and wonder approach to life was infectious and brightened the day of thoses around her.

Family will receive friends on Monday, July 7, 2025 at the Skradski Funeral Home in Gladstone from 3 to 6 p.m. To offer online condolences, please visit www.skradskifuneralhomes.com. The Skradski Family Funeral Homes of Delta County are assisting the Strom family.