Clarence "Clancy" William Strohmaier

Clarence “Clancy” William Strohmaier, 93, passed away on Jan. 4, 2022 in Spokane after a courageous battle with lymphoma. Clancy was born on March 25, 1928 in Lind, Wash. to Bill and Marie Strohmaier.

He grew up on the family wheat farm in Lind. He was on track to graduate from Lind High School in 1946, but in the fall of 1945, he was busy on the tractor seeding and didn’t return to school that year. In 1974, he decided a high school diploma was important, so he completed the necessary requirements at Lind High School and officially graduated!

He met his wife of 65 years, Lois Ottmar, in the summer of 1947. They married on Sep. 19, 1948 in Ritzville and settled on the family farm north of Lind. Clancy’s greatest joys were raising his sons, Greg, Kent, and Blake and farming.

Along with farming, Clancy owned the Strohmaier Machine Shop, where he welded and fabricated metal for his farm needs and those of many fellow farmers. He also fed several hundred head of cattle during the winter in the 1950’s.

Clancy was a member of the Lind Community Church, Priest Lake and Ritzville Golf Courses, and a charter member of the Lind Lion’s Club and Outlet Bay Owners Association. He faithfully attended his son’s and grandchildren’s activities, coached Little League, and shuttled Boy Scouts to campouts. He helped plan the Lind Centennial Celebration and welded on the bleachers for the Lind Combine Demolition Derby arena.

Clancy was at his happiest when he could fire up his loader or dozer and help someone out. His smile was always beaming when he pulled the crippled combines out of the arena at the annual Combine Derby. When the ash fell after Mt. St. Helens, Clancy spent weeks cleaning up the town of Lind with his loader.

Clancy and Lois traveled through Europe, Mexico, and most of the United States; highlights were the Grand Ole Opry, Nashville, Yellowstone, Branson, and Hawaii. Family and friends have great memories of his road trips full of history and genealogy lessons. But their favorite place was Priest Lake, ID. In the 1950’s, they started bringing their family to Priest Lake for vacations. Over time, Priest Lake became a beloved year-round gathering place for the Strohmaier family. They made many memories boating, snowmobiling, golfing, enjoying meals with friends, and spending cherished time with family.

Clancy enjoyed meeting his buddies for coffee every morning in Lind and at Priest Lake. Clancy shot trap at the gun club every Sunday and travelled to Montana annually for a hunting trip with his friends. He also enjoyed reading about history and watching the History Channel and Gunsmoke. He loved music, singing, and dancing. Clancy played several instruments: coronet, guitar, piano, banjo, and omnichord. He entertained many with his Country and Gospel songs.

Clancy will be remembered for his hearty laugh, sincere smile, bear hug, and solid hand shake!

Clancy was preceded in death by his parents, wife Lois in 2013, and sister Oletis.

He is survived by his sons Greg (Janice) of Washougal, Kent (Susie) of Lind, and Blake Strohmaier of Spokane; grandchildren Jacob (Melissa) Strohmaier, Kiely (Kacey) Kiehn, Shane (Caitlin) Strohmaier; step-granddaughters Amy (Dave) Hawthorne, Kristen (Mike) Lauerman; great-grandchildren Amelia and Josephine Kiehn, Bowie Strohmaier; step-great grandchildren Myles and Summer Hawthorne, James, Anna, and Brooke Lauerman, nephews and a niece, and many cherished friends.

A special thank you to Orchard Crest and Hospice of Spokane for their professional loving care.

A Celebration of life will be held in the spring of 2022.

Memorial donations may be made in his name to the Lind Senior Center at PO Box 345, Lind, WA 99341 or to the Priest Lake Memory Gardens at PO Box 32, Coolin, ID 83821.