Jerry Strom
March 30, 1936-Oct. 1, 2025
Los Altos Hills, California

With deepest love and remembrance, the family of Jerome Lee Strom, “Jerry,” announce his peaceful passing at his home in Los Altos Hills on the morning of October 1, 2025.  Jerry was 89, born in 1936, the son of Victor and Edna Strom.

Jerry was a graduate of North Dakota State University, Dickinson.  Prior to college, Jerry served honorably in the United States Army.  It was through this military experience that Jerry received the GI bill and was able to attend college.  His Army tenure included station stops in Missouri, Paris France, and the San Francisco Presidio.  He served as a Sergeant. Upon completing his military service, Jerry returned to North Dakota and enrolled in college. It was through his rural upbringing and military service that Jerry learned his core values of self-sufficiency, hard work and fair dealing; values that served him well and made him known as a man of integrity.

It was in college where Jerry met his first wife, Rosie Ann Ridl.  They were married in 1959.  Upon completing college, they moved to begin their new life in California.  They built their lives first as schoolteachers, and soon after as the owners of a successful Palo Alto, CA restaurant.  They had two children, Roger and Nancy.

The restaurant business was sold and gave way to a new career in multi-residential real estate.  This career spanned over 50 years and produced results far beyond anything Jerry & Rosie could imagine.  

When Rosie’s health declined in the 1990's and early 2000's, Jerry devoted himself to her care with quiet strength and unwavering tenderness.  Rosie passed all too soon in 2005.

Jerry was an alumni of Dickinson State University in North Dakota, and he and his first wife, Rosie Ann (Ridl) Strom, funded a scholarship at DSU for many years. Then in 2010, five years after his wife and fellow DSU alumnus, had passed away, Jerry realized a dream when he worked with DSU President at that time, Lee Vickers, to establish the Strom Center for Entrepreneurship at DSU. That center was operated from 2010-2016, when the university discontinued it due to budget issues. Jerry and his wife Rosie were strong believers that anyone could learn business skills and were eager to share that vision. 

Jerry was also a steady presence for his extended family, his clients, and his community. Whether offering advice, encouragement, or practical help, he took joy in seeing others succeed. He was an active member of Grace Lutheran Church and later of the Unitarian Universalist Church of Palo Alto.  He had been a member of the University Club in Palo Alto for many years where he enjoyed tennis with his friends. Jerry had a wide circle of friends from all walks of life; and counted especially the people in his informal Men’s Groups that he met for lunch every week. And he could always be counted on to help raise funds when needed at the churches and helped oversee building renovations at UUCPA.

In his later years, Jerry found love again with his second wife, Marilyn Austin. Marilyn provided Jerry with a life of new friends and intellectual stimulation with her many interests and talents. Eventually, as his health declined, she in turn cared for him with remarkable devotion and love.

Jerry is survived by his children and their spouses, son Roger and his wife Helen, and daughter Nancy and her husband Gavin; his five grandchildren, Erik (Irina), Alec (Stephanie), Zachary (Aimee), Lucy, and Rosie; and step grandson Jason Nam (Avalon). He was predeceased by his daughter-in-law and the grandsons’ mom Jane Strom, who died in 2018. His great-granddaughter, Sofia was born in 2024, and brought immense delight in his final year.

His family was his greatest joy. He took pride in their achievements, celebrated their milestones, and never missed a chance to remind them that he was there to help and cheer them on. Many recall his habit of quietly pointing out people’s strengths — a small gesture that left a lasting impact. 

In his final months, Jerry often reflected on how fortunate he had been — for a life full of opportunity, love, and connection. He expressed gratitude for the care and companionship of Marilyn, his family, his caregivers, and his many friends. He left this world content and proud, his heart full of thanks and hope for those he loved.

Jerry requested a ceremony at the Unitarian Universalist Church in Palo Alto.  It will be held on January 10, 2026.

Tags: veteran, business