Sroga, Stel (Stanis) Carolina
August 16, 1914 – February 25, 2020
Age 105 of Howard Lake. Stel “Couldn’t be better”, the words that gave her life and inspired those around her. Of Coon Rapids, MN. Passed away peacefully on Feburary 25th at Good Samaritan Nursing Home of Howard Lake surrounded by her family and Care Givers. Always an inspiration in her older years. Stel’s death was preceded by her husband, Stanley G. Sroga; her parents, Martin and Caroline Bak; and Stel’s siblings, Joe, Mike, Tony, Wally, Jake and Carolina Bak. Stel is survived by her son, Stan M. Sroga with his wife Kathy, Stan’s son Michael Sroga with his wife Julie and daughters Paige and Laney. Stan and Kathy’s two children, Andrew and Jennifer and Jennifer’s husband Dan Dutton and their daughters Addison and Avery. Stel was an independent person that always had time to listen. She valued education and was able to teach herself any subject that interested her whether it was work related, academic or hobby. Her work included factory management, and in middle age she assisted in the family home building business as a bookkeeper and interior house painter. Her hobbies were many, including sewing, crocheting, upholstery, gardening, home improvement, guitar and many years of oil painting. Her final hobby was people. She mostly listened to them and then gently steered them at the right moment if she thought she could help. Stel owed her longevity to an undying positive attitude. At 105 years of age, when you asked Stel how she was doing? Her honest reply was always the same, an upbeat “Couldn’t be better”. This was a very careful choice of words. Quietly, without being a burden, she made the best of each day. She was not saying that she felt good. She was saying that she was Making the Best of it. Coming from most of us, these words would just be a polite reply but when softly uttered with an honest smile from a person drawing their last breath, you’ve got to listen, “Couldn’t be better”. She was an inspiration. Dedicated to her closest care giver, Rose Manzke. Private burial with Stel’s son, his spouse, their children and Rosie.(Published in the Star Tribune on March , 2020)