Donald Anton Strobel

Donald Anton "Anthony" Strobel, age 94 of Le Sueur, passed away on Sunday, April 27, 2025 at Ridgeview Hospital in Waconia, MN. Mass of Christian Burial will be held on Monday, May 12, 2025 at 10:30 A.M. at St. Anne's Catholic Church in Le Sueur, MN. Visitation will be held Sunday, May 11, 2025 at Kolden Funeral Home in Le Sueur from 4-7 P.M., and continued Monday morning from 8:30-10:15 A.M. Following a luncheon at St. Anne's School, interment will be in St. Thomas Cemetery in Jessenland Township, MN.

Don was born on March 20, 1931 in East Union, Carver County, MN to Charles & Irene (Madden) Strobel. He was baptized at St. Nicholas Catholic Church, Carver, MN and attended Carver School District, No. 21.   The family moved to a farm in Jessenland Township, Sibley County, in December of 1945.  Don graduated from Belle Plaine High School in 1949.  On April 19, 1952 he married Elizabeth (Betty) Ann Leonhardt.  They lived in several places in the area before moving to the Strobel farm.  Don and Betty remained on the farm until November of 1987, moving into Henderson Minnesota.  And the last 6 years at Sunrise Plaza in LeSueur Minnesota.

Don & Betty were married at St. Thomas Catholic Church, Jessenland, where his great-grandfather, Thomas Madden, helped build the existing building in 1870.  He had great pride as a direct descendant of some of the early settlers in Jessenland, Thomas & Emily Madden and John & Margaret Desmond. They joined St. Anne’s Catholic Church in LeSueur MN in 2005 when their beloved Jessenland was made an Oratory.

Don and Betty raised their family of 12 children on the farm by Blakeley. In 1979 they welcomed 2 nieces and 2 nephews into their home and the blended family became 16. His family was raised to treat everyone with respect and to take responsibility for their actions. Don served on the Henderson School Board from 1964-1968.  He was a trustee at St. Thomas Catholic Church, Jessenland for many years. Don and Betty also taught high school religion.

Don ran the farm and maintained a dairy herd until the early 1970’s.  He continued to farm the land and worked at several different jobs in the metro and local area.

Don enjoyed all children, loved to joke with them or pester them (even in church).  It was nothing for him to get a child in trouble, with their parents, for something he instigated. Some of the younger nieces and nephews were to call him “handsome Uncle Donnie”.  He always enjoyed taking the grandkids to Dairy Queen whenever they stayed with him and Betty. His children and grandchildren’s friends were always welcomed and were treated the same as they were.  An honor he always talked about was when he was asked by daughter, Patty’s, friend, Ruth, to give her away at her wedding, it was just as emotional as giving away his daughters.

Don is survived by his wife of 73 years, Betty, who he took care of right up to the end; his children and spouses, Cathy & Andrea Strobel-Ayres of Minneapolis, Louise & Rod Christensen of Edina, Joe & Alice of Gaylord, Roger & Linda of Belle Plaine, Karen & Jim Cameron of Henderson, Ken of Minneapolis, Lois Brumfield of Portland OR, Patty & Todd Strobel-Alsbury of Portland OR, Jim & Jana of Shakopee, Paul & Susie of Eagan, John Strobel & Jane Dreyer of Minneapolis, David & Lisa of Prior Lake, Marie & Mike Engelby of Deer River, Steve & Denise Leonhardt of Chanhassen , Betty Leonhardt & Craig Johnson of Belle Plaine and Rick & Kim Leonhardt of Cresbard SD; 24 grandchildren, 32 great-grandchildren and 1 great-great-grandchild; Betty’s brothers and their wives, Bill & Mary Leonhardt of Crosby and Terry & Flor Leonhardt of Belle Plaine and sister-in law Marilyn Leonhardt of Shakopee. He is also survived by many nieces and nephews.

He is preceded in death by his granddaughter Ashley Strobel, son-in-law Darrell Brumfield, his parents, in-laws, Tom & Margaret Leonhardt; all his siblings and their spouses; Francis & Bernice, Helen & Ruben Moehring, Elaine & Leonard Winter, Jean & John Leonhardt and Marion & Myron Helget; and Betty’s brothers John, George, Joseph (in infancy) and Lawrence.

In lieu of flowers, memorials can be made in his name to:

Friends of Jessenland                            St Anne’s Church                      St Anne’s School

PO Box 234                                          503 N 4th Street                        511 N 4th Street

Henderson MN 56044                           LeSueur MN 56058                  LeSueur MN 56058