William "Bill" Streu, age 77, died on Sunday, April 12, 2026 at home in rural Grand Rapids, Minnesota with his family at his side.

William Edward Streu was born May 18, 1948, the son of Beatrice H. (Larson) and Kenneth W. Streu in Glencoe, Minnesota.  When Bill was just two years old, his family moved from Glencoe to their home on Shallow Lake near Warba, Minnesota.  Bill attended school in Grand Rapids, graduating in 1966. Following his high school education, he completed a Brick Mason correspondence course.

Bill was inducted to the U.S. Army in 1968 and served his country for two years.  He was stationed in Germany working as a Border Patrol.   His primary mission was to walk, ski, or drive the length of the Czech-German border in their area of operations to monitor Warsaw Pact activity. He truly enjoyed the snowy winter months when he would perform the patrol duties on Nordic skis.

Following his discharge from the military service, Bill married the love of his life, Jean Kaye Trembath in the Grand Rapids United Methodist Church in Grand Rapids on December 12, 1970.  They made their home on Mishawaka Road, Grand Rapids and raised their two children, Derek and Lindsay.   Bill began working as an apprentice and earned his title, brick mason. He was a very hard, diligent, worker.  He commuted to Duluth each day and was recognized for working in this trade for more than 50 years.

Bill can be remembered for his unforgettable "one liners!"  He enjoyed deer hunting and shared that experience with his family.  He was an avid fisherman – truly loving their fishing trips to Lake Winnibigoshish ("Lake Winnie") where he would bring home his limit of walleye for memorable family fish fry events.

He will be deeply missed by his wife of 55 years, Jean Streu; two children and five grandchildren - Derek and Tracy Streu and children, Braeden, Brooklyn, and Bristol; Lindsay and Christopher Theis and their daughters, Taylor and Bailey; sister, Susan Chmel; and several nieces and nephews.

Bill is preceded in death by his parents, Ken and Beatrice Streu; brother-in-law, Terry Chmel; sister and brother-in-law, Debbie and Dave Nichols; and special niece, Shelly "Howdy" Brook.

A Celebration of Bill's life will be held at a later.