Obit: Strathman, Eugene (1925 - 2012)

Contact: stan@wiclarkcountyhistory.org 

Surnames: Strathman, Larson, Moore, Ried, Sanders, Amundson, Jensen

----Source: Marshfield News Herald (Marshfield, WI) 10/06/2012

Strathman, Eugene (30 AUG 1925 - 4 OCT 2012)

Eugene Strathman, 87, of Abbotsford, died Thursday, Oct. 4, 2012, at Golden LivingCenter-Continental Manor, Abbotsford.

Eugene was born August 30, 1925, in Colby, the son of Fred and Hildur (Larson) Strathman. He graduated from Colby High School in 1943. In March, 1944, he enlisted in the Marines, and was deployed on a gun crew on the USS Portland during WWII, serving until the end of the war.

On January 22, 1955, he married Merna Jean Moore. She survives.

After his time in the service, Eugene worked at Huebner's cheese factory near Stratford, a bottle milk plant in Racine, the Rindfleisch cheese factory near Colby, and operated the former Lamont's service station in Colby. He drove truck for Packaging Corporation of America, worked part-time at the Abbotsford Post Office, and full-time at the Wausau Post Office, retiring in 1985. After retiring, he worked part-time cleaning the post office and working at Dave's Repair. He was an Elder with the Abbotsford Presbyterian Church for a number of years, and participated in the Abbotsford Christmas parade.

Eugene, along with his brother, Gerald, and others in the area, was instrumental in starting up the Colby VFW, becoming a life member. He was very involved with the Abbotsford Boy Scout troop, along with his two sons, who both obtained Eagle Scout rank. Although never a Boy Scout himself, his extensive support through the years as a Troop Committee member was recognized by a Letter of Appreciation by the Ojibwa District and an Eagle Feather Award by the Samoset Council Order of the Arrow.

Eugene loved conversation. He never met a person he didn't like. He always had his morning coffee at the Abby Cafe and enjoyed conversing with others. He also enjoyed fishing and the Green Bay Packers.

Survivors besides his wife include six children, Fred (Roma), Hyattsville, Md., Martha (Roger) Ried, Colby, Tom (Kim), Winthrop Harbor, Ill., Mary (Tracy) Sanders, Abbotsford, Marcy (Steve) Amundson, Abbotsford, and Joan (Eugene) Jensen, Unity; 16 grandchildren; and five great-grandchildren.

He was preceded in death by his parents; three grandchildren; one brother, Gerald; and a sister, Virginia Callies.

Visitation will be held at First Presbyterian Church, Abbotsford, on Monday, Oct. 8, from 11 a.m.-1 p.m., with the service to follow. The Maurina Schilling Funeral Home in Abbotsford is assisting the family with arrangements.