Marvin “Pete” N. Strehlow

Marvin “Pete” Norman Strehlow, 88, of Suring, passed away on Wednesday, July 21, 2021. Pete was born to the late William and Clara (Guelker) Strehlow on Feb. 17, 1933, in Hayes. In 1951, Pete graduated from Suring High School where he was the quarterback of the football team. On Feb. 14, 1953, Pete married Clara Firgens. Pete was the bookkeeper and manager of the Suring Co-Op. As if working 50 hours a week and having five children wasn’t enough, Pete spent his spare time raising steers, pigs, chickens, and sheep. He enjoyed playing softball with his brothers and friends. He enjoyed fishing trips to Canada and Minnesota and hunting out west. But Pete’s favorite week of the year was Wisconsin deer season.

When the five Strehlow brothers got together, the room was filled with stories and laughter. They were a close-knit family, always helping one another out. Pete had amazing problem-solving skills. He never owned a new piece of equipment, but he could fix all the old stuff he had. Haying was always an adventure because the baler broke down after every round. He took apart an old barn and reconstructed it on his property. Pete didn’t believe in being idle. He loved tapping maple trees. Every spring, Pete and brother, Curtis, along with nieces and nephews, kids and grandkids, would carry on the 100+ year old Strehlow tradition.

Pete is survived by five of his children, Rhonda Strehlow (Bob Guyette), Ellen (Jim) Meverden, Vicki (Jerry) Fischer, Marlin Strehlow, and Gail (Bob) Thomas; three grandchildren, Valerie (Chris) Brooks, Amanda Thomas and Marisa Thomas; two great-grandchildren, Kaitlin Brooks and Dylan Brooks; two sisters, Fern Cramer and Fay (Tom) Stache; sister-in-law, Audrey Strehlow. He is further survived by many nieces, nephews, other relatives, and friends.

Pete was preceded in death by his wife, Clara; daughter, Audrey; grandson, Matthew Meverden; seven siblings, Lewellyn “Lew” (Virginia), Gaylord “Bub” (Melanie), Roland “Park” (Helen), Curtis, Betty “Poots” (Norman) Saffron, Beulah Lazansky, and Kay (Tom) Dhein.

Visitation will be held on Saturday, July 24, 2021, at Suring United Methodist Church from 9 a.m. until the funeral service at 11 a.m. with Pastor Kate Kvidera officiating. Pete will be interred in Pleasant Hill Cemetery. Gruetzmacher Funeral Home in Suring is assisting the family with arrangements. Online condolences can be expressed at www.gruetzmacherfuneralhome.com.

The family would like to thank the outstanding staff at The Cottages at Meadowlands Memory Care Unit in Oconto Falls.

In lieu of flowers, a memorial fund has been established.

Pete loved a good joke, although he always laughed too hard to re-tell it. We’ll miss his sense of humor and that happy-go-lucky smile.