Cyrena Ruth Strassman was welcomed into the Lord’s loving arms at the age of 100 on Tuesday, September 24th, 2013. She passed away in the compassionate and loving care of Hope Health and Rehabilitation Center’s staff in Lomira.
She was born on November 13, 1912, in the township of Lomira, the daughter of the late Carl and Hertha (Heldt) Wetzel. She was baptized at St. Petri’s in the town of Theresa and confirmed at St. Paul’s Evangelical Lutheran Church in Brownsville. Cyrena was united in marriage to Alvin Strassman on October 3, 1929, and lived in the Brownsville area most of her married life. Alvin preceded Cyrena in death on May 28, 1983.
Cyrena was a member of St. Paul's Evangelical Lutheran Church in Brownsville and the Ladies Aid. She was a former member of the Brownsville Fire Department Auxiliary and was a Red Cross volunteer for many years at Hope Health and Rehabilitation Center before becoming a resident there.
Cyrena will fondly be remembered for her sense of humor and will be deeply missed by her family and by all who knew her.
Those Cyrena leaves behind to cherish her memory include three sons, Arthur Strassman of Texas, David (Grace) Strassman of Brownsville and Neil (Claudia) Strassman of Campbellsport; a daughter-in-law, Eileen Strassman of Brownsville; 16 grandchildren, Beverly Gerth, Ronald (Judy) Strassman, Sherry (Allen) Serwe, Daniel Strassman, Roger (Elsie) Strassman, Denice (Daniel) Krofta, Christine (Daniel) Loest, Larry (special friend, Amy Timm) Strassman, Julie (Matthew) Thelen, Sheila (Linton) Miller, Brian (Ann) Steger, Paul Strassman, Randy (special friend, Robin Acosta) Strassman, Glen (Tracy) Strassman, Margo (Lee) Goff, and Angie (Christopher) Greicar; 33 great-grandchildren and 12 great-great- grandchildren, other relatives and friends.
In addition to her husband and parents, Cyrena was preceded in death by three sons, Allen, Roger (Dorothy) and Gordon Strassman; two grandsons, Allen and Richard Strassman; a grandson-in-law, David Gerth; a great-grandson, Adam Gerth and a daughter-in-law, Sherry.
Funeral services for Cyrena were held at 1:00 p.m. on Saturday, September 28, 2013, at St. Paul’s Evangelical Lutheran Church in Brownsville. Rev. William Carter officiated and burial followed in St. Luke's Cemetery in Knowles.
The Strassman family greeted relatives and friends at the church on Saturday from 10:00 a.m. until the time of services.
Memorials to St. Paul's Lutheran Church are appreciated.
The Kietzer-Miller Funeral Home was entrusted with Cyrena's arrangements.