Peter Michael Strom

Peter "Pete" Michael Strom, 80, friend to many, business man, and steward to Traverse City, passed away Friday September 23, 2022, at Medilodge of Traverse City after a long illness. He was born In Grinnell, Iowa, to the late Irwin and Mary Alice (Shriver) Strom on September 4, 1942.
Upon graduating from Traverse City Central High and Central Michigan University, Pete married his high school sweetheart, Karen Bjork Strom, on September 5, 1964. Pete and Karen's love of travel and service led them to join the Peace Corps where they taught high school students in Ethiopia. This began a lifelong long love of travel, which took them to many points of the world.
After returning home, Pete became owner and president of Hamilton's Menswear Store. If you lived or traveled to Traverse City between 1965 - 1992 and shopped downtown Traverse City, you likely met Pete and bought a suit, tie, or shirt that you didn't realize you needed. Upon closing the store in 1992, he opened Strom's Career Apparel. Pete served as past president of the Michigan Retailers Association and on the Board of Directors of the National Menswear Association. For his years of service to promote the growth and development of Downtown Traverse City, he received the Lyle DeYoung Award in 2000.
Living the model "Service above Self", Pete was a member of the noon Rotary Club for almost 50 years, serving as past president, chairing many committees, and participating in many Rotary Shows. He was a Paul Harris Fellow and was a founding member of the Rotary Charities Board.
Pete had a strong affinity for Hospice and served as a volunteer and on the original Munson Hospice Board which brought Hospice to Northern Michigan. He also served on the Munson Corporate Board.
Beyond serving for years as a volunteer in various community organizations, his love of his community and downtown led him to politics. He was elected to the Grand Traverse Board of Commissioners and served as Chair of the Board as well the County's Economic Development Corp and the original County Brownfield Development Board. He also was on the Board of Community Mental Health.
While he enjoyed his work and service in the community, he was happiest when he was with his family and friends. He loved gathering them at the Riverhouse, playing cards with the guys, and traveling with friends and family near and far.
He is survived by his wife Karen of 58 years, his son Michael (Amy) Strom, granddaughters Sarah, and Olivia, son-in-law Wayne Schmidt, and in-laws Jean Bjork Boquist, Bill Bjork (Elizabeth), and Barbara Bjork Papazian, as well as many other loving family members and friends.
Pete was preceded in death by his parents, his beloved daughter Catherine Strom Schmidt, his brothers-in-law John Boquist, Jim Papazian, and cousins Marv Miller and Judy Ann Skinner.
After the death of his daughter Catherine, Pete recognized heartache in others. For many years, Pete shared pocket angel coins with friends and strangers in Catherine's memory.
The family would like to thank the caring and dedicated staff at Medilodge for their help and kindness over the past years.
Visitation will be held on October 21, 2022, from 4-7 at the Reynolds-Jonkhoff Funeral Home. A memorial service will take place at 11 am on Saturday, October 22, 2022, with visitation held one hour prior also at the Funeral Home. If you choose to remember Pete, your memorial can be offered to Munson Hospice, The Rotary Foundation, or perhaps you may choose to go to downtown Traverse City and think about Pete while you shop and support downtown businesses.
Kindly share thoughts and memories with his family at www.reynolds-jonkhoff.com .