Barbara Mae Strom

Barbara Mae (Togstad) Strom, 93, of Green Bay, Wisconsin passed away peacefully on Sunday, August 24, 2025, after a courageous battle with dementia.

Barbara was born in Madison, Wisconsin on November 10, 1931, to Karl Raymond and Iona MaeTogstad. She attended grade school in Madison. After moving to Whitefish Bay, she graduated with the class of 1949 from Whitefish Bay High School. She attended college at the University of Minnesota, where she received her Bachelor of Science Degree in Physical Therapy in 1953.

On March 31st, 1951, Barbara married the love of her life, David Strom. They shared 62 years of marriage and raised five daughters together. Their family story began in Whitefish Bay and then they relocated to Green Bay where they raised their family and spent the rest of their lives. They were blessed with 14 grandchildren and 15 great-grandchildren and had a special love for the many family pets including grand-dogs and grand-cats. She loved her role as Bestemor, which is Grandmother in Norwegian. With the advent of the “great-grands” she proudly became Bestemor-mor!

Barbara filled her life with family and friends. She was involved in philanthropic organizations such as the PEO Sisterhood and the Service League of Green Bay. She was a Brownie and Girl Scout Leader for her daughters' troops. She enjoyed many social clubs: LaBaye and Neighborly Dance Clubs, Square Dance Club, bridge clubs, tennis groups, Birthday Club and Lady Bug Garden Club. She enjoyed being part of literary groups including Monday Shakespeare Club, Book Club and Play Reading Group. She was very involved with Union Congregational Church, being a deacon and a member of the Chancel Choir. This led her and David to be involved with The Dudley Birder Chorale which included an unforgettable performance at Carnegie Hall in New York City.

Barb and Dave loved to travel together. They loved to camp in Northern Michigan and Door County with friends and family in the early years. During the winter months skiing was a family sport, many ski trips to Upper Michigan and to the Rocky Mountains. They shared a love of learning and exploration in their golden years. Among the most memorable global adventures were the Great Wall of China, Jerusalem, the Berlin Wall, the Australian Outback and the Fjords of Norway. Their travels in the United States included trips to two Green Bay Packer Superbowls, an Alaskan Cruise and golfing at Ka’anapali Beach on the Island of Maui. They stayed in Elder Hostels all over the world and took part in the Learning in Retirement program at UWGB.

Gift giving was Barb’s love language and she wrote beautiful notes to family and friends over the years, always remembering special occasions. This fit in well with one of her favorite hobbies: shopping! Holidays inspired Barb to decorate her home beautifully. Her gardening skills led her to create a beautiful backyard garden filled with carefully chosen perennials and annuals. She loved to sew, to knit, to embroider and to needlepoint, leaving many beautiful creations for us to enjoy from her years of her delicate handiwork. Barb loved her Green Bay Packers. She was not only a season ticket holder, but also a shareholder of this hometown team. Door County was heaven on earth for Barbara and Dave. They shared this love with many friends and family, creating traditions still held dear to those who loved her.

Barbara is survived by her five daughters: Sara (Howard) Miller Mequon, WI; Nancy (Martin) Solhaug, Minneapolis, MN; Heidi (Bill) Mercer, Coon Rapids, MN; Dr. Randi (Dr. John) Fay, DePere, WI and Wendy (Mike Kapp) Holland, Green Bay, WI; Thirteen grandchildren: Dr. Erik (Ellie) Solhaug, Tom (Madeline) Mercer, Dave (Jamie) Mercer, Dr. Melanie (Dr. Mike Thorp) Mercer, Dr. Kristin (Dr. Rick) Joachim, Kevin (Jake Kroenke) Fay , Kyle (Megan) Fay, Dr. Jennifer (Ryan Haigh) Holland, Chris (Alison) Holland, Emily (Darian Goulding) Holland, Nicholas and Nathan Kapp; fifteen great grandchildren: Henry, Charlotte and Milo Mercer; Lilliana, Everly Mae and Brooklyn Mercer; Hannah, Colin and Brynn Joachim; Jackson, Jane and Jordan Fay and Alexandra Mae, Thomas and John Samuel Holland and many close friends. She also leaves behind her sweet 17 year old kitty, Daisy Mae.

Barbara is preceded in death by her husband, David, her grandson Samuel Holland, her parents Ray and Iona Togstad and her brother Carleton (Cop) Togstad.

A Celebration of Life will be held on Saturday, October 18, 2025, at Union Congregational Church, 716 S Madison St., Green Bay with visitation from 9:30am to 11am and service to follow at 11am. Pastor Bridget Flad Daniels officiating. Cotter Funeral Home is assisting the family with arrangements. In lieu of flowers, please consider donating to one of the following organizations in her memory: Green Bay Botanical Garden, Union Congregational Church of Green Bay, Happily Ever After Animal Sanctuary www.heanokill.org/inmemorydonation, or the PEO Educational Loan Fund.

The Strom family extends their deepest gratitude to the compassionate staff at Rennes Health and Rehab Center, Unity Hospice and to dear friend Karen Gage, whose collective kindness, respectful care and friendship made “Barbarita” feel important and like she was never alone. We are forever thankful for the family they created for her in her final challenging years.