Larry Brostrom

Larry Allan Brostrom, 87, of Machesney Park, Illinois, passed away peacefully on August 3, 2026. Born at home on December 28, 1938, in Peru, Wisconsin, Larry was the son of Harold F. Brostrom and Dorothy C. Watland. He lived a full and remarkable life, one defined by hard work, faith, patriotism, service to others, family, friendships.

As a young boy, Larry learned the value of hard work alongside his father, working for him on the Milwaukee Road, laying and repairing railroad tracks throughout Wisconsin and to and from Chicago. Those early years helped shape the hardworking, determined man he would become. Larry graduated from Winona High School in Winona, Minnesota, in 1957 and went on to attend UW-Stout.

In 1961, Larry was drafted into the United States Army. Before his deployment, he married Barbara L. Omholt. Out of that union, he had three children, Curt, Eric, and Amy. Larry built a long and successful career with Farmers Insurance Group.

He began as an agent in Mound, Minnesota, in 1966 and went on to become a District Manager. After a career spanning more than three decades, he retired in 2003 from his position in Rockford/Machesney Park, Illinois. He took great pride in his work and in the many people he met and mentored along the way.
Giving back to his community was always important to Larry. He was active with the Jaycees in Minnesota and was a longtime member of the Tebala Shrine in Rockford. A proud patriot, Larry was also involved in local government in Machesney Park and was a dedicated member of the RNC. His love of country and community was something he carried with him throughout his life.

Above all, Larry loved his Lord. Faith was an important part of his life, and he was a lifelong participant in and supporter of his church community. Larry lived a full and beautiful life with many adventures and even MORE stories. He loved to dance, tell a good story, share a glass of wine, and, most of all, be around people. He enjoyed staying active and looked forward to his workouts at NorthPoint. We are truly grateful to have had a Dad that has been there when we needed and we treasure the memories of riding bikes, dancing, visiting train yards, working in the yard up North, fixing anything and everything, sitting around the camp fire and hanging out on the boat.

For the past ten years, Larry wintered in Brownsville, Texas, where he built a wonderful circle of friendships. One of his favorite traditions was sponsoring coffee at the River Bend clubhouse every weekday morning. And he loved his water aerobics and workouts at CRUNCH. Larry cherished those mornings, the conversations, the laughter, and the friendships he made there.
In every part of his life, Larry left an impression. He was hardworking, social, patriotic, faithful, and full of stories. He lived life on his own terms, stayed busy and loved deeply.

Larry is survived by his children, Curt Brostrom, Eric Brostrom and Deborah Roberson, and Amy Brostrom Perri and Rob Perri; his grandchildren, Tyler Brostrom and Ashley Brunke, Joel and Paige Miller, Joe and Ann Brostrom, Samantha Brostrom Chadima and Jake Chadima, Mitch Brostrom, Larry Adam Brostrom, Addison Perri, and Gage Perri; and his great-grandchildren, Chase Brostrom, Dominick Brostrom, Arlow Brostrom, Mason Chadima, and Chloe Brostrom.

His family and countless friends will miss his stories, his laughter, his energy, his friendship.

Rest in peace, our beloved Hoss.

You will be deeply missed, forever loved, and never forgotten.

A graveside Celebration of Life will be held on Thursday, October 1, 2026, at Riverview Cemetery Downsville, Wisconsin.