Kenneth E. Nastrom, age 81, of Cambridge died April 23, 2024 at Ecumen North Branch. Mass of Christian Burial will be held at 10:30 A.M. Thursday, May 2nd at Christ the King Catholic Church in Cambridge. A visitation will be held from 4:00 P.M. – 7:00 P.M. Wednesday, May 1st at Strike Life Tributes in Cambridge and also one hour prior to the funeral Thursday at the church. Interment will be in Christ the King Catholic Cemetery. Memorials preferred to Cambridge Senior Activity Center or Christ the King Catholic Church.
Kenneth Eugene Nastrom
Beloved husband, dad, grandpa, and great grandpa, brother and friend
Kenneth Eugene Nastrom, of Cambridge, Minnesota, was welcomed into the arms of the Lord on April 23, 2024, having completed his chores and hanging up his hard hat for a last time. He was 81 years old. After building many houses, catching hundreds of fish, and traveling to over 60 countries, his life was complete. Because of his faith, he was ready to receive his reward in heaven.
Born March 9, 1943, he lived most of his young life with his parents and four brothers, Ernie, Darrel, Dennis, and Jerry, on the farm in Quamba, Minnesota. The family moved to the north side of Cambridge and he graduated class of 1961. He was united in marriage to Ramona Yolanda Pieper on April 20, 1963. They had a lifelong marriage of 61 years.
Kenny began his career building homes with Orrin Thompson. He then started his own company, Nastrom Construction, using his gifts and talents, working hard most nights and weekends to make his company successful. Later on, he finished up his career at Yerigan Construction. Kenny had a reputation for being an honest businessman and for building high quality homes. His skills were featured on the cover of Parade of Homes and in several architecture magazines.
Kenny had a wide variety of interests and pastimes. Early in life, he could be seen racing snowmobiles and, later in life, sitting next to his ‘61 Chevy Impala at car shows. And when Kenny was on the water in his SKEETER boat, he was hard to beat. For over 54 years, he fished on Lac Des Mille Lacs in Ontario, Canada. Although he never got his 30” walleye, he did provide many, many all-you-can-eat fish fry dinners. He also enjoyed hunting, curling, playing pickleball and cards, and watching sports. Whether he was working, farming, boiling maple syrup, or fishing, Kenny could be seen wearing his white hard hat, listening to WCCO, and drinking a Mountain Dew.
He also gave back to the community by remodeling the 4-H concession stand and being named 4-H family of the year, though he had no kids in 4-H at the time. He served as Cambridge Township Supervisor and Fairboard Director. Kenny was awarded the WCCO Good Neighbor Award twice.
Kenny’s death has left a hole in the hearts of family and friends. He will be greatly missed by wife Ramona, daughter Lynn Stoltz, and son David Nastrom. Kenny was known as grandpa to Anton Stoltz (Anna), Kristi Johnson (Trent), Curtis Nastrom, and Skylar Nastrom, and as great grandpa to Richard Stoltz and Henry Johnson.
Son, Robert (known to all as Bobby), was at the door of heaven to open it and welcome his dad. His family and friends know that Kenny was greeted by his Lord in heaven with the words, “Well done, good and faithful servant!”
I certainly enjoyed spending time with Kenny, especially our fishing trips to Canada. He was a very good guy and he will be missed.
Kenny was such a wonderful neighbor to our family growing up. He will be missed.
Kenney was part of our Minnesota impala Club family. He was a guy that you talked to one on one as he did not say a lot but when he spoke, he made an impression upon you. Kenney was one of the good guys. Rest in peace my friend.
On a trip to Australia in 2002, Kenny and I were the only ones from our group who snorkeled in the Great Barrier Reef. Since then, I always greeted him as my “snorkeling buddy.” He was a quiet, sincere and humble man. Oh, but he could laugh and there was always a little mischief in his smile. Mona and family, my heart goes out to you as you grieve the loss of this great man.
Kenny was a wonderful father-in-law and so kind to me. He loved fishing and puttering around on his land, teaching my kids to do things. He will be greatly missed.
We knew Kenny via the Senior Activity Center where Mona has served on the Board and she and Kenny participated in many events. Kenny’s reputation from his work in home design and construction preceded him as he was well respected in the community. In person he was kind and thoughtful and had a wry smile. Together with Mona, they experienced the most of what Life has to offer: close family, service to community, road trips and fishing trips to Canada. Though he has passed, his legacy remains. Mona, you and your family are in our prayers.
Kenny was a gentle man, that was always there to help at the Senior Center. Some of it was Mona being on the board and knowing we needed help.
Our hearts go out to Mona they were such a team
God bless the Nystrom family