Obit: Strathman, Merna J. (1930? – 2017)

Transcriber: stan@wiclarkcountyhistory.org 

Surnames: Strathman, Barker, Moore, Ried, Winthrop, Sanders, Amundson, Thomas, Bates

Source: Marshfield News Herald (Marshfield, WI) 13 Mar 2017

Strathman, Merna J. (1930? – 5 MAR 2017)

Merna Jean Strathman, 86, died March 5, 2017, at Colonial Center in Colby.

Merna was born in Rockford, Ill., to Fayne and Fern (Barker) Moore. Her grandmother raised her when her mom died of scarlet fever when she was very young, while her siblings lived with other relatives and friends.

She graduated from Dor-Abby in 1947. She then went to work at Abbotsford Phone Exchange. She married Eugene Strathman on Jan. 22, 1955, in Waukegan, Ill. He died Oct. 4, 2012.

Merna went to work at St. Joseph's Hospital as a switchboard operator and in the admitting dept. When they made the move to the new addition to the hospital, she worked in the telecommunications dept. for 45 years, retiring in 2010. She also was the organist for First Presbyterian Church in Abbotsford, the United Church of Christ in Colby and the First Presbyterian Church in Marshfield. She was also the treasurer for the Abbotsford Cemetery Association.

She is survived by 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, Steve, Mark (Nina), Nathan, Nick, Noah (Codi), Russell (Sierra), Michael, Boone, Seth, Connor, Kasha, Zelly, Kara, Ian, Gunner and Clayton; and nine great-grandchildren; a sister, Bonnie Henry, O'Fallon, Mo.; nieces and nephews; other relatives and friends.

She was preceded in death by her husband, Eugene; a grandson, Sean Ried; a sister, Mae Bates; and a brother, Barker.

A Memorial Service will be held at noon on Friday, March 17, 2017, at the First Presbyterian Church, Abbotsford. The Rev. Marcia Thomas will preside. Family and friends are welcome from 10 a.m. until the time of service Friday at the church.

The Maurina-Schilling Funeral Home in Abbotsford is assisting the family with the arrangements.

Family and friends may express condolences online at www.maurinaschilling.com.