Allan Matthew Stranz Jr. passed away Nov. 4, 2013, at the Bellin Hospital-Oconto. Allan was born July 4, 1930, in Beech Grove, Marion County, Ind., to Allan Matthew and Mary Leota (Thrine) Stranz.
He attended St. Joan of Arc Catholic School in Indianapolis and then moved with his parents to Crandon in 1943 and graduated from Crandon High School in 1948. Allan graduated from the University of Wisconsin-Madison School of Pharmacy in 1952.
Allan married Jeanne Alice Sturzl on Oct. 5, 1950. After working in Tomahawk, Eagle River and Racine, Allan and his family moved to Oconto, where he was employed at Ford Drug Store and later Schultz Drug Store. Allan and Jeanne purchased Schultz Drug Store in 1964 and operated it as Stranz Drug Store until 1979, when they sold it to Bill Clement. Allan and Jeanne moved back to Crandon, where he was employed at Linderud Pharmacy.
While living in Oconto, Allan and Jeanne were active members of the Oconto Gun Club, with Stranz Drug Store sponsoring a team. He was also interested in model airplanes and model trains, gun collecting, and enjoyed jazz and big band music, Allan being a cornet player, playing with the Oconto City Band.
In Crandon, Allan was a member of the Black Bear Sportsmen’s Club and went to national pistol finals in Camp Perry, Ohio, in 1992 and 1993. Allan loved dogs and was a strong supporter of the humane society. Allan was a lifetime member of the NRA and the American Pharmaceutical Association.
Allan and Jeanne owned and operated a Christmas tree farm in Popple River and earned Tree Farmer of the Year awards. He enjoyed tramping through the woods and showing off his trees. Allan liked playing practical jokes and card and magic tricks. As a child in Indianapolis, he was called on stage by Blackstone the Magician to be his assistant. He also attended the Indy 500 as a kid and then went back later with John, Steve and Ken. He didn’t remember it being “so loud back then.”
Allan was an expert yo-yo-ist and could wiggle his ears. He liked a good bar burger, shooting pool, Chevy trucks and whatever beer was the cheapest. Allan had a unique sense of humor, and fortunately he passed on his gift of sarcasm to future generations.
When health issues arose in 2007, Allan and Jeanne moved back to Oconto to be closer to their children. Jeanne passed away on June 8, 2011.
Surviving Allan are his children, Al (Jan) Stranz, John (Lois) Stranz, Shelley (Jeff) Zahm, Steve (Gail) Stranz, Karen (Ken) Behnke; son-in-law, David Wagner; 20 grandchildren, Mike Stranz, Megan (Drew) Oswald, Dan (Carrie) Wagner, Bart (Amy) Wagner, Christopher (Kaitlyn) Wagner, Tim Wagner, Billie (Rich) Rau, Sarah (Jamie) Broehm, Kelly (Chad) Stellmacher, Casey Murphy, Riley (Krista) Murphy, Annie Murphy, Cody Zahm, Brennan Zahm, Matthew Zahm, Jake Stranz, Willie Stranz, Krissi Stranz, Eric Behnke and Allison Behnke; 14 great-grandchildren, Alex, Ben, Josh and Zoe Wagner, Lily and Sydney Wagner, Harley Wagner, Andrew and Ethan Rau,Parker, Haleigh and Peyton Broehm, Collin and Brady Stellmacher; in-laws, Shirley VanCleve, Frank (Sheila) Sturzl and Kathy Sturzl.
Allan was preceded in death by his wife, Jeanne; son, Gerald James; daughter, Patricia Dawn Wagner; and two great-grandchildren, Emma and Emily Wagner.
The family received relatives and friends at the Gallagher Funeral Home, Oconto, on Friday, Nov. 8. Memorial services were conducted Friday at the funeral home with Deacon Walter Kaszynski officiating.
Online condolences may be expressed at www.gallagherfuneralhome.net.
The Stranz family would like to thank the staff at the Country House for their kindness, patience and care of Allan during these past several years. Also, a thank you to the staff at Bellin Hospital-Oconto and Unity Hospice for their understanding, compassion and care during his last week.
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