ARLINGTON – Darlene Strotz’s drive to help others has been so true-hearted there isn’t much that could slow her down.
“I want you to know that I’m going to be joining a very elite group of people here,” Strotz said Wednesday as she received a Lifetime Achievement Award for her volunteerism.
Addressing a fellow achievement award recipient, George Boulton of Flowers By George, seated in the packed audience at the Stillaguamish Senior Center, she said, “Do you remember when I was delivering flowers for you one Valentines Day? I got my one and only speeding ticket.”
The crowd of about 180 well-wishers erupted into laughter for the woman who has dedicated much of her life as a farmer, firefighter and medic, ballfield builder, 4-H leader and fair volunteer in the Arlington and Silvana communities.
“I think there must be a lot more people out there being more deserving of this award, but I’m honored,” she said.
Born in Everett and raised a farm girl in Sisco Heights, she graduated from Arlington High School in 1960. After graduating she married Roy Strotz, a local dairy farmer, and they raised four children, Karen, Keith, Kurt and Kathi.
In 1962, they took over the family dairy farm with Roy’s brother.
While the kids were in elementary school, she volunteered, giving hearing tests and measles shots. Through her involvement with the schools, they also opened up their farm for field trips.
Roy turned out to be as devoted to the community as she was, and they stressed the importance of helping others to their four children. Her husband of 51 years died about five years ago. Now their grandsons help Darlene at Strotz’s Country Feed at the farm just west off of Highway 530.
Their boys played baseball and Roy coached, so when Little League needed a place to play and practice, the Strotz built a ballfield at Blue Still Field in the mid-1970s, along the riverbank on their property. The league still uses it, and Darlene spends countless hours mowing it.
The couple were grand marshals of the Arlington 4th of July Parade. The Strotz family was named Snohomish County Dairy Family of the Year in 1972.
Strotz served as president of the Dairy Women for several years. During her time with the Dairy Women, she volunteered at the booth at the Stanwood Fair, and the Purple Cow Booth at the Monroe Fair. She was nominated for the State Dairy Women of the Year in 1990.
When Strotz grew concerned about the risks of injury on dairy farms where her family worked with animals and heavy machinery, she decided to train in emergency medical services. She became the first woman to join Fire District 19 in Silvana, a department still known for moving female firefighters up the ranks.
She also worked eight years at the Arlington Fire Department. In addition to emergency response, she headed the blood drives, pancake breakfasts, address mapping and illuminated blue fire address sign program that helps fire vehicles more easily find homes on aid calls. A strong showing of firefighters attended the breakfast to pay tribute to Strotz, who reitred in 2013 after 32 years.
In 1988, the Strotz family sold their herd as part of the federal dairy buyout program, and opened Strotz Country Feed.
She has been an active 4-H leader for over 40 years with the Silvana Lads & Lassies. She has served as dairy superintendent of the Silvana Fair and judging superintended for the Monroe Fair.
She sits on the Silvana Fair Board and has served as treasurer for years. She is in charge of the exhibits, including vegetable, flower, sewing and baking displays, and helps organize the Fair Board Auction.
With others, she was instrumental in establishing the Memorial Garden at the Silvana Fair that honors members of the board that have passed away.
The Arlington Rotay Club sponsored the 12th Annual Lifetime Achievement Breakfast. The club provides leadership to the senior center, includes some of its members on the board, and sponsored tables for the breakfast to help raise funds for the center.
