DES MOINES, Iowa—Spencer William Herrstrom was born November 14, 1987, at Mary Greeley Medical Center, in Ames, IA, the son of William (Jean) Herrstrom and Lorinda (Jay) Peters. He died of natural causes on October 1, 2024, in his home in Des Moines.
He graduated from Dowling Catholic High School in 2006. After enlisting in the U.S. Army in 2008 and serving two tours of duty in Afghanistan, Spencer was honorably discharged in 2013. He enrolled at San Diego State University and graduated with a B.S. in Economics in May 2018. Spencer returned to Iowa in 2021 and in January 2023 entered the Culinary Arts Institute at DMACC-Ankeny campus. He was to graduate in December 2024.
Spencer married Claudia Frontull, December 27, 2013, they were later divorced.
Sitting still was not Spencer’s specialty, he preferred being active and involved in life. Sports played an important role: cross country, wrestling, football, swimming, weightlifting, and especially, surfing in San Diego. He cheered for the Iowa Hawkeyes, Georgia Bulldogs, and San Diego Padres. Another favorite of Spencer’s was his love for animals. Moving back to Iowa enabled Spencer to spend time with his grandma Verda, chatting and playing Dominos and cards.
He is survived by his parents, William (Jean) Herrstrom of Madrid, IA, and Lorinda (Jay) Peters of Highland Haven, TX; his paternal grandmother, Verda Burke of Boone, IA; his aunts and uncles: Bob (Barb) Herrstrom, of Boone, IA, Cheryl (Larry) Olofson, of Boone, IA, Pam (Steve) Cassida, of Lakewood, CO, Tim (Julie) Herrstrom, of Luther, IA, Lane Junker of Ft. Worth, TX, Christine (Bill) Baker of Hyannis, NE, Cathleen (David) Van Winkle of Lincoln, NE, Lisa (Steve) Clarke, of Clinton, IA, and Beth Coffey, of Indianola, IA; many, many cousins; as well as best friend and brother, Cyrus Van Lent of Des Moines, IA; and childhood friends and San Diego friends.
He was preceded in death by paternal grandfather, Floyd and paternal step-grandfather, Martin; maternal grandparents, Richard and Bonnie Schoen; and cousin, Kara Olofson.
A Celebration of Life will be held at 11:00 A.M. Saturday, October 19, 2024, at the Lutheran Church of Hope Ankeny, 520 NW 36th Street, Ankeny, IA. Visitation will be one hour prior to the service. Spencer’s ashes will be scattered in San Diego at a later date.
Memorials may be made to K9s for Warriors (www.k9sforwarriors.org) or to the Iowa Arboretum (https://iowaarboretum.org/).
Funeral arrangements are under the direction of the Schroeder-Reimers Memorial Chapel at Sixth and Marshall Streets in Boone. Online condolences may be left to Spencer’s family at www.schroedermemorialchapel.com.
Spencer Herrstrom, 36, Des Moines, Iowa
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