Visitation will be 4-7 p.m. on Wednesday, May 20, 2026 at Gibson-Bode Funeral Home, Erie. Services will be at 11:00 a.m. Thursday at the funeral home. Burial will be in North Cemetery, Geneseo, IL. Memorials may be made to the Hillsdale United Methodist Church or to a charity of choice.
Don was born April 6, 1924 in Sigourney, IA, a son of David and Anna (Bruns) Strohman. He graduated from Geneseo High School in 1941. Don married the love of his life, Mary L. Egert on February 2, 1944. They made their home on the farm in Erie where they raised their 4 daughters and he lived until his passing.
Don was a lifelong farmer. He was passionate about farming but also was a talented carpenter, electrician, mechanic, plumber and inventor. He was a member of the Hillsdale United Methodist Church, served as the commissioner of the Penny Slough Drainage Ditch and was founder of the National Farmers Organization. He loved to study and learn about history. Don loved his country and was a lifelong Democrat.
He was a wonderful husband, father and grandfather. Don always remembered the first time he laid eyes on Mary, it was love at first sight.
He is survived by his 4 daughters, Janice Heinsen, Hillsdale, Linda (Gus) Hicks, Kewanee, Diane (Allan) Stichter, Erie, Sandy (Bob) Hermes, Erie; grandchildren, Wade Heinsen, Stephanie (Jeff) Parker, Joni (Dave) Houtakker, Julie (Keith) Bridgewater, Brandon (Casey) Stichter, Brett (Donna) Stichter, Nathan (Sarah) Stichter, Drew (Jen) Temple, Matt (Jessica) Temple, Brooke (Derrick) Johnson, Kayla Temple; great grandchildren, Taylor, Trae, Gaege, Amanda, Jessica, Cody, Cheyenne, Kyle, Hope, Erin, Abigail, Kaylee, Kelsey, Liam, Reid, Katelyn, Dylan, Max, Kash, Ashlyn, Ava, Bella, Hallie, Makenzie; 8 great-great grandchildren; a sister-in-law, Lois Drummet; and several nieces and nephews.
Don was preceded in death by his wife Mary in 2015; son-in-law, Lee Heinsen; brothers, Al, Richard, Lawrence and Bob Strohman and sister, Gertrude Hail.
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