In Memory of Philip R. Stroetz

Philip Raymond Stroetz, age 75, of Stacy died October 12, 2023 at home.  A private celebration of life for family and friends will be held on Friday, November 17^th from 2:00 to 4:00 pm.  For details family and friends can call our funeral home at 763-444-5212.

Philip Raymond Stroetz was born in 1948 in Dunkirk, NY to Robert and Nina (Hancock) Stroetz. He spent most of his early years in Caledonia, a small town in extreme Southeastern Minnesota.

The family moved to Rochester, MN just prior to Phil’s senior year of high school. He graduated from John Marshall High School in Rochester in 1966. In that short time at a new school, Phil became president of the debate team, lettered in track and basketball, received the John Philip Sousa music award, and gave the 1966 John Marshall High School commencement speech.

Born to parents who were talented musicians, Phil had music in his blood. He was an accomplished pianist at an early age, played first chair trumpet and toured Europe with the Luther College band. Phil studied under Westin Noble and Robert Getchel, and had a few lessons from Chicago Symphony legend, Bud Herseth. Phil played in many local and college orchestras, as well as several rock and jazz bands. One band, Therica, still has loyal fans after nearly 50 years.

Phil graduated with honors from Luther College, then completed a master’s degree in medical technology at Mankato State University. He held medical lab director positions at Mount Sinai Hospital, Caremark, Pharmasan, ScreenPro, Genoa Healthcare, and CVS ProCare. He was a life-long student of science, especially medical advances.

He enjoyed many hobbies – motorcycles, snow skiing, scuba diving, tinkering with cars, listening to music, and gardening. Phil was an accomplished woodworker who enjoyed building fine furniture and home improvement projects, as well as developing creative solutions.

He loved spending time with family and friends. Many precious holiday and vacation memories were made with his Uncle Jim and Aunt Caroline Giglia and their daughters Carol Jean and Susan. Phil loved the time he spent at the Stroetz family cabin on Pelican Lake, where he enjoyed sailing, water-skiing, and fishing.

Phil met Vicki Fagre at Breezy Point, and they were married in 1987. He became a loving stepfather to Vicki’s daughter, Danielle. When Danielle and her husband Steve formed their own family, Phil became a loving grandfather to their two daughters, Ruby and Josephine.

For 20 years Phil and Vicki have loved and lived with Afghan Hounds.

Phil is survived by his wife, Vicki Fagre-Stroetz, stepdaughter Danielle (Steve) Arlowe, granddaughters Ruby and Josephine Arlowe, brothers C. Vincent (Kaye Lehman) Baker and Randy (Lucinda) Stroetz, nieces and nephews Monya Baker, Claudia Lee, Andrew Baker, Daniel Baker, Karyn Baker, Rachel Adolphson, and Caroline Cheney, beloved cousins Carol Williams and Susan Carroll. He is pre-deceased by his parents.