Kenneth Peter Stromsland Obituary - Visitation & Funeral Information

Kenneth P. Stromsland Kenneth Stromsland passed away in the late hours of April 29, 2021, after a courageous struggle with Parkinson's disease, age 81 years old. His wife, Judy, his son Eric with his wife Kim and his son Peter were at his side when he passed at the Riverside Medical Center Emergency Department in Kankakee, Illinois. Ken was born July 9, 1939 in Chicago, Illinois. His father, Peter Stromsland, immigrated from Norway and his mother was of Norwegian descent. Ken was surrounded by Norwegian communities and traditions while growing up. The family moved to Addison, Illinois, then a small township surrounded by farmland. There he met Judith Hausermann, who would become the love of his life. They married August 26, 1961, at St. Paul Lutheran Church in Addison, Illinois. Together, they enjoyed life to the fullest for the next 59+ years. Ken and Judy started their life together by honeymooning in Glacier Park and then moving into the top floor of a house in Evanston, then to an apartment in Villa Park and once more to the top floor of a house in Lombard, Illinois. Ken earned his Bachelor of Architecture from Illinois Institute of Technology in 1962, the same year children entered the picture, starting with his daughter Kari. Daughter Susan arrived in 1964 and the family moved to a townhouse in New Lenox, Illinois so that Ken could be close to work and he and Judy could start working towards their dream of building a house in the rural countryside. He had accepted an offer to work for S-L (Semitekol-Larson) Architects in Joliet, Illinois. Son Peter joined the family in 1966 and Ken earned his Architectural license in 1967. Son Eric arrived in 1969. Ken designed his and Judy's dream house and soon they were living their dream in the rural countryside with their children in their beautiful new home. Dogs, cats, horses and birds followed soon after. Between vegetable gardening, family vacations spent hiking in the rocky mountains, bow hunting, sailing, all types of skiing, raising and showing horses, field trialing with his pointers, traveling to Norway and sailing Lake Michigan, Chesapeake Bay, the Pacific coast, the Caribbean and South Pacific, he became an accomplished architect and grew to principal and owner as S-L Architects transitioned to SLS (Semitekol Larson Stromsland) and then S&D (Stromsland & DeYoung) Architects. He was a long serving member of the AIA (American Institute of Architects), Eastern Illinois chapter, and served terms as vice president and president. He served as school board member for the Homer grade school district while each of his children were attending and served as board vice president and president. He was a member of the Joliet Exchange Club for over 40 years where he again served as vice president and president. He was passionate about Bicentennial Park in Joliet and served as a board member and treasurer. He was equally passionate about Trinity Services, Inc., New Lenox, Illinois where he served as architect, board member and board vice president and president. He served as a board member for Shepherd of the Hill Lutheran Church, Lockport, Illinois, where he was a member of the congregation. Ken was an active member of the Hilltoppers Field Trial club, the Paso Fino Owners and Breeders Association, Inc. and the local Paso Fino club where he served as president. He lovingly maintained his Sons of Norway membership and endeavored to learn Norsk. He is survived by his beloved wife Judy Stromsland, daughter Kari Stromsland and her beloved Todd Willsie, daughter Susan O'Connor and her husband John, son Peter Stromsland and his wife Susan and their children Katie and Jason Stromsland, and son Eric Stromsland and his wife Kim. He is preceded in death by his father Peter Stromsland and mother Charlotte Stromsland. Throughout his life, Ken kept his heart, spirit and sense of humor. He has been described as down to earth and he was drawn to the outdoors and nature. If you asked Ken what was most important in life, he would smile and easily tell you that it is family, friends, loved ones and the joy of learning and giving of oneself in a way that honors the simple, natural and human truth: what comes around goes around and what goes around comes around. He lived by the advice he gave to his children: “The more you do, the more you can do”. Excerpts from the Song of Hiawatha, by Henry Wadsworth Longfellow (in remembrance of Ken & Judy's first date) By the shores of Gitche Gumee, By the shining Big-Sea-Water, Stood the wigwam of Nokomis, Daughter of the Moon, Nokomis... ...One long track and trail of splendor, Down whose stream, as down a river, Westward, westward Hiawatha Sailed into the fiery sunset, Sailed into the purple vapors... Visitation and Service: May 8, 2021, Saturday R.W. Patterson Funeral Home, 401 E. Main St, Braidwood, Illinois, 60408 Visitation: 10:00am Service 12:00pm Memorials may be made to: Bicentennial Park Trinity Services, Inc. Parkinson's Disease and Movement Disorders Center at Northwestern Memorial Hospital

Kenneth Peter Stromsland

July 9, 1939 - April 30, 2021

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