Obituary of Keith L. Strunk

Strunk, Keith Leroy age 74, of Minnetonka, MN died November 3, 2015 peacefully in his sleep of complications from kidney cancer. He was born August 24, 1941 in a home birth on a farm near Elbow Lake, MN, the son of Cam and Helen Strunk. Keith was second of four siblings. He grew up on a dairy farm outside of Hoffman, MN. As a young man, Keith enjoyed all forms of hunting, was involved in 4-H, became a very good swimmer, attended the West Central School of Ag high school in Morris, MN and was on the swim team, and graduated from Hoffman High School in 1959. Keith served in the Army for three years from 1959-1962 and worked as a drywall finisher for over 40 years. Keith was a loving brother, husband, father, grandfather, great-grandfather, and friend. He was known for being not only willing, but able, to fix or build just about anything. His kindness was also demonstrated in actions such as taking people to the airport at all times of the day or night. His greatest joy was spending time with his family. He also loved to play cards and watch sports events, especially when a grandchild was playing. Everyone who knew him agrees, "He was a good man!" He married Kathleen Lorenz (now Corrigan) in September of 1963 and they had four children: Kirby Paul, Kara Michelle, Kent Frederick, and Kyle Edwin. In September of 1997 he married Jill Tibbs Christensen and has lived in Minnetonka, MN for the last 18 years. Keith is predeceased by his parents and his daughter Kara. He is survived by his wife Jill; his three sons, Kirby (Julie), Kent (Jammi), and Kyle (Suzzi); two stepsons, Shaun Christensen and Derek Christensen, fifteen grandchildren, Eric Strunk, Matt Thoennes, Meghan Thoennes, Shawn Strunk, Alyssa Strunk, Taylor Strunk, Trent Strunk, Ethan Strunk, Elle Strunk, Halle Strunk, Nicholas Strunk, Spencer Strunk, Hannah Strunk, Vincent Strunk, and Isaac Strunk; two great-grandchildren, Bailey Strunk and Mason Thoennes; two brothers, David (Sharon) Strunk and John (Pirjo) Strunk, and a sister, Jean (Dave) Nibbe, many nieces and nephews, an uncle and two aunts, numerous cousins, and a multitude of friends. A memorial service will be held Saturday, November 28 at the Cremation Society of Minnesota Chapel, 7110 France Ave. S., Edina, MN 55435. The visitation will begin at 4 PM, with the memorial service at 4:30 PM, and reception to follow. In the spring, Keith's ashes will blanket the grave of his daughter Kara, in Hoffman, MN. In lieu of flowers, Keith chose "Smile Train" as his favorite charity. Donations can be made online at their website.