Caroline L. Strohschein, 90, of Beaver Dam passed away on Wednesday, May 20, 2015 at Hillside Manor in Beaver Dam.
Caroline Laura Keil was born on August 5, 1924 in the Town of Trenton to Laura (Lidtke) Keil and Philip Keil. She was the middle of five children. The Keil family moved to a small farm on North Spring Street in Beaver Dam where she attended Lincoln Elementary School, and she graduated with the class of 1942 from Beaver Dam High School. As a member of the Greatest Generation she served her country as a Rosie the Riveter, working at “the Shell Plant” (the converted Monarch Range factory) during both WWII and the Korean Conflict. Caroline also worked at Larson’s Turkey Farm in Beaver Dam.
She met a shy bachelor farmer named Clarence Strohschein, who farmed her father’s land. They married in 1948 and settled on the Strohschein family farm, now the site of Prairie View School and the Stonehaven Subdivision, where she lived with, or next door to, her mother-in-law for 34 years. Due to her lifelong love of children she hoped for a large family. She settled for quality over quantity.
Caroline liked to play cards and dance. She was a lifetime member of First Ev. Lutheran Church of Beaver Dam, where she served many years as a Sunday school teacher. She was a longtime member of Ruth Circle. She was a doting mother to her two sons and she instilled a strong Christian faith and empathetic spirit in both. Caroline made many visits to Williams Free Library with both of her sons. In her later years she read many large print books from the library, some books multiple times.
In retirement she served as a poll worker and also enjoyed participating at Joint Effort at the YMCA. Caroline volunteered at Hillside Manor in Beaver Dam for 25 years. Due to declining physical health, her later years were spent at the Charleston House, Eagles Wings, and Hillside Manor. She became the spokesmodel for assisted living in Beaver Dam. She received excellent care at all of her stays, which were made easier because of her engaging PERSONALITY.
Caroline is survived by her sons: Alan (Kathy Hoch) Strohschein of Columbus and Mark Strohschein of Green Bay. She is further survived by a sister-in-law, Carol Keil, and also numerous nieces and nephews. She is also survived by her lifelong friend Twyla (Schwoch) Muenchow of Waupun.
Caroline is preceded in death by her parents and her siblings Frederick, Barbara Keil Gutgesell, Ruth Ann Keil Polzin, and Philip.
A funeral service will be held at 11 a.m. on Tuesday, May 26, 2015 at First Ev. Lutheran Church in Beaver Dam. The Revs. Mark Jensen and Terry Larson will officiate. A visitation will be held on Monday, May 25th from 4 p.m. until 7 p.m. at the Koepsell-Murray Funeral Home in Beaver Dam, and also on Tuesday from 10 a.m. until 11 a.m. at the church. Interment will take place at Highland Memory Gardens, Township of Trenton, WI.
Because of Caroline’s lifetime commitment to literacy, her family requests a donation of a favorite children’s book, funds for materials for the visually impaired at the Beaver Dam Community Library, or memorials to First Ev. Lutheran Church of Beaver Dam.
Caroline’s family wishes to thank Drs. Greg Sheehy, Barbara Stowe Carpenter, Paul Palmer, Tara Passow, Jay Wilkins, Wilson Luy Tan, and Amy Muchow; Gail and Charles Fakes, Michelle Pasbrig, and John Ley, together with innumerable CNA’s, RN’s, EMT’s, PT’s, Hospitalists, and LPN’s that have provided medical care and comfort to Caroline in Madison and Beaver Dam for the last 11 years. Special thanks also to Pastors Mark Jensen, Terry Larson and Paul Lindau of First Ev. Lutheran Church, together with Lois Bennett, Gail Henschel, Ruth Roebke, Dan Oliver and all members of First Ev. Lutheran who have prayed for her healing. Thanks also to Shirley Lund and Jackie Burke for their many visits to Caroline and all the residents of Eagles Wings
Caroline’s health issues have taught her sons patience and graciousness. Caroline embraced life with all its ups and downs, with a positive caring attitude. Her family hopes all families struggling with health issues gain peace through their faith.
Koepsell-Murray Funeral Home, N7199 N. Crystal Lake Rd., Beaver Dam is serving the family. Online condolences may be made at www.koepsellfh.com.
