Ernest O. Strommen, age 87, of Twin Valley, MN, died Tuesday, January 2, 2007, in Twin Valley Living Center, Twin Valley.

Ernest Otto Strommen, known to many as "Ernie", was born March 10, 1919, on the farm in Wild Rice Township near Twin Valley, Minnesota, to Henry and Wilhemina "Minnie" (Pinkse) Strommen. He attended country school and grew up helping on the family farm. On January 19, 1946, Ernie was united in marriage to Dorothy Johnson at the Zion Lutheran Parsonage in Twin Valley. Following their marriage, the couple made their home in rural Twin Valley where they farmed for several years. On June 9, 1994, Dorothy passed away and Ernie remained on the farm until 2002 when he moved into Twin Valley. Ernie resided at the Lincoln Terrace Apartments until very recently when his health began to decline. He entered the Twin Valley Living Center on December 27, 2006.

Ernie enjoyed watching television, playing cards and playing pool, in his younger years. However, his real passion in life was music. He was a self taught instrumentalist. Ernie played for many, many years in bands and even had his own band for a time. It was only in the past couple years that he retired from playing. Ernie was a life long member of Zion Lutheran Church in Twin Valley.

Ernie is survived by two sons, Mike (June), of Dickinson, ND, and Robert (Diane), of Buffalo, MN; three daughters: Margaret Lundmark, of Hutchinson, KS, Mary (Gary) Van Vleet, of Beach, ND, and Dianne (Terry) Saylor, of Appling, GA; 14 grandchildren; 17 great-grandchildren; and one sister, Johanna Schultz, of Moorhead, MN. In addition to his wife, Dorothy, Ernie was preceded in death by his parents, one brother, Vernon, and son-in-law, Arvid Lundmark.

Funeral Services will be held on Saturday, January 6, at 11:00 AM in Zion Lutheran Church, Twin Valley. Officiating will be Pastor Charles Bade with Danette Gwin serving as organist and Harlan and Sylvia Bueng and Mark Habedank servings as vocalists. Pallbearers will be all of Erine's grandsons, Tony Dunbar, Jason Dunbar, Allen Dunbar, Brian Lundmark, Brent Lundmark, Johathon Strommen, Timothy Strommen, Greg Strommen, Aaron Strommen, Jeremy Strommen and Scott Saylor. Honorary pallbearers will be Harvey Wiger, Tommy Erickson and Harlan Bueng. Visitation will be held on Friday, January 5 from 5:00 PM until 7:00 PM in the Anderson Funeral Home, Twin Valley. Visitation will also be one hour before services at the church on Saturday. Interment will be in Zion Lutheran Cemetery, Twin Valley.