Anderson Funeral Home
Homeserving families for over 70 years
312 South Stone St.
Augusta, WI 54722
715-286-2222
Florence Strauch
Florence L. Strauch, 91, of Foster, rural Osseo, passed away Wednesday evening, January 27, 2016, at her home in St. Joseph’s Hospice Care and with her caregiver Terri and son Vernon at her side.
Florence Lorraine Wathke was born April 5, 1924 to August and Augusta (Rau) Wathke at the family farm in Washington Township, rural Eau Claire County. Florence was raised Lutheran being baptized and confirmed at Zion Lutheran Church in Cleghorn. It was at that church on October 24, 1943, that she was united in marriage to Victor Strauch, her loving husband of 63 years. The couple farmed all their married life and raised their son Vernon in Otter Creek Township, rural Osseo. After Victor passed away she and Vern continued to live on the farm until nearly 3 years ago when they moved to their present home on U.S. Highway 53 near Foster. She was a loving wife, very proud mother and caregiver at home to her family. She will be deeply missed by her son, other relatives and friends.
Florence loved her Lord and took great comfort in daily reading her bible. Her other passions were collecting and reading cook books, especially the ones published by local churches and county homemaker clubs. She was a wonderful cook and baker, often trying new recipes or creating her own. She was a true farm wife; helping with everything including raising geese, ducks, turkeys, chickens and selling eggs. She always had a large vegetable garden and beautiful flower gardens. She was especially fond of raising tomatoes, geraniums and impatiens. You could often find her in the berry patch, picking strawberries which were her favorite, but also raspberries, blueberries, black berries and black raspberries, along with apples, pears and plums. Peaches were another favorite fruit that she always bought to prepare for her family. Canning, pickling, making sauces and jams out of all the things she raised and picked was just a normal part of her life. She loved baking cakes, bars, cookies and especially pies. Just about every week she made 1 or 2 pies and almost always had one on Sunday.
Florence is survived by her son Vernon Strauch of rural Osseo; sister-in-law Lorraine Wathke of Eau Claire; nephews Allen and Phyllis Wathke of Fall Creek, Jim Strauch of Eau Claire, Dave and Jean Herman of Strum, Vern and Becky Larson of Osseo; niece Phyllis Schwoch of Osseo; cousins, Dale, Mark and Mike Ives of Osseo and Whitehall; friend Gary Pettis of Augusta; and many other nieces, nephews, other relatives and friends.
Florence was preceded in death by her husband Victor on Nov. 30, 2006; infant son Gary Strauch; brothers, Frank and Otto Wathke, Ervin and wife Martha Wathke; infant brother Elgart Wathke; sisters, Irene and husband Rudolph Fenske, Anna and husband Walter Strauch, Arvelina and husband Frank Redlaczyk; brothers-in-law and sisters-in-law, Alfred and Helen Strauch, Wilber and Selma Strauch, Mable and Rudolph Schwoch, Leona Lee-Knudtson and Olaf Knudtson.
The family would like to take this opportunity to thank all the good people that touch Florence’s life, especially in the later years. A heartfelt thank you to Martin Fencl for making the effort to find Terri, Florence’s live in care giver. Terri, we will be forever grateful for your loving care shown to Florence, it was as if God had sent her an angel. Also thank you to all the staff of St. Joseph’s Hospice and especially nurse Leah.
Funeral services will he held Monday, Feb. 1, 2016 at 1:30 p.m. at St. Peter Lutheran Church on County Road HH, east of Foster. Burial will be in the church cemetery. Friends may call from 2 to 5 p.m. Sunday at the Anderson Funeral Home in Augusta, and one hour prior to services Monday at the church.
