Greta Herrstrom

Greta Lee (Gill) Herrstrom, age 90, passed away June 5, 2025. Born February 1, 1935, she was the daughter of Sharon and Leona (Grimm) Gill. Greta was raised with her sister Mary Lou on the family farm south of Woodward. After graduating high school in 1952, she moved to Des Moines and worked for Meredith Publishing Co. until her marriage to Dick Herrstrom on March 13, 1954. They always joked that the minister forgot part of the wedding service so they weren't sure they were really married! After Dick was discharged from the Army, they lived and raised their family on the farm north of Madrid. As an active member of the Garden Prairie UCC, she taught Sunday School and was a member of the Booster Circle. She loved to quilt, belonging to the Madrid Heritage Quilters and gifted her children, grandchildren and great grandchildren with hand stitched quilts. For many years she was a co-leader of Madrid Rockettes 4-H Club and also baked wedding cakes. She cooked at Madrid Community Schools food service and retired as a food service manager. Both Greta and Dick shared a passion for the Iowa State Fair and entered many quilts and antiques. Even after moving to Madrid, she continued to fill her summers canning and freezing the harvest of their large garden. Along with Dick's hobby of collecting Western Stoneware, she loved to display her large collection of Snow Village lighted houses.
Surviving are her children Dana (John) Kinney of Burlington, Brian (Tamara) Herrstrom of Altoona and Russell (Lisa) Herrstrom of Madrid, six grandchildren Daniel, Jillian, Christopher, Kyle, Travis and Nicholas, six great grandchildren, sister Mary Lou Friar and several nieces and nephews.
Greta was preceded in death by her husband Dick.
Visitation will be held on Saturday, July 12, 2025 from 9:00 AM-10:00 AM at Garden Prairie UCC Church. A Celebration of Life will begin at 10:00 AM followed by a time of food and fellowship. A memorial has been established at Garden Prairie UCC Church.
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