Obituary/Robert "Marshall" Storeby, age 81

Robert "Marshall" Storeby, age 81, of Karlstad, passed away Sunday, December 21, 2025 at the Karlstad Health Care Center.

Robert Durwood Marshall Storeby was born June 13, 1944 in Thief River Falls, MN to Robert Orville and Ruth Elizabeth Storeby.  He was raised on a farm in rural Strandquist, MN where his parents taught him about hard work, honesty and being the best person you knew how to be. Growing up, his community of friends and neighbors was important to him and he has always been grateful for their support, especially at the passing of his father when he was 14.

He was baptized and confirmed in the Lutheran faith at Bethesda Lutheran Church in Strandquist.

He graduated from Strandquist High School in 1962 and went on to attend Vocational School in Thief River Falls and Dunwoody Institute in Minneapolis, MN.

On September 5, 1964, he was joined in marriage to Arlene Marie Erickson of Karlstad, MN.  They made their home in St. Paul, MN for the next 22 years.

Marshall was drafted into the US Army in April, 1966.  He was trained in small arms combat and sent to Viet Nam.  His experience in Viet Nam on Hill 192, was documented in a book by Daniel Lange entitled “Casualties of War”.  The book was issued in over 22 different languages and was made “required reading” at West Point Millitary Academy.  The book was made into a movie in 1989 by Brian DePalma, starring Michael J. Fox who portrayed Marshall in the movie, “Casualties of War”.

In March of 1989, Sonia Gronenwald Solmonson wrote an article about the “incident on Hill 192” and it was published in the Lutheran Magazine.  Shortly after, Chaplain Jeffery Zust contacted Marshall to provide a 3 day workshop at Fort Bragg, North Carolina, regarding his experience.  He and his wife met with Army Chaplains, the Military Police and soldiers who would soon be deployed to Bosnia.  Over the next year, reports of atrocity interception and prevention as a direct result of the workshop, became known to the Chaplaincy.

After separation from the Army, Marshall began his career in the wood industry.  He began working in production and eventually became Vice President of Manufacturing for LSI of Plymouth, Normal Wood Product of Midland, MI and Vice President and minority owner of CDI in Eagan, MN.

In 2002, he and his wife moved to Warroad, MN where they retired to their country home with their dog.  Marshall enjoyed growing beautiful flowers and organic vegetables, many of which ribboned at the County Fair.

In 2014, they returned to Karlsatd, coming full circle in the cycle of life.  They created a beautiful peace garden at the edge of their property where they could celebrate the beauty of life.

Marshall is survived by his wife, Arlene of 61 years; his sister, Sharon (Roy) Lemke, Fergus Falls, MN; his aunt, Lois (Harold) Anderson; sister-in-law Diane Erickson, Warroad, MN; brother-in-law, Steven Erickson of South Dakota and several nieces, nephews and cousins.

He was preceded in death by his parents, Robert & Ruth Storeby; Grandparents, E.R. and Anne Anderson; Conrad and Edith Storeby; sister, Mari Lynn Richter; cousin, Corienne (Wayne) Jacobson and several aunts and uncles.

Memorials preferred to the Thief River Falls Humane Society or the Minneapolis VA Hospital, PTSD Medical Care Department.  Blessed by his memory.  He lived a life that mattered.

Celebration of Life will be held June 13, 2026.