DOROTHY STRASSER

      Dorothy Strasser, 86, of Waterford, passed away peacefully on Feb. 5, 2023. Dorothy was born on Feb. 23, 1936 in Green River, Utah to George and Lillian (nee Osborne) Ogden.

Dorothy grew up in western Colorado as one in ten children. She graduated from Fruita Union High School in Fruita, Colorado on June 6 1954. Shortly thereafter, she moved to Grand Junction. She was introduced to her future husband, Ronald Fitch, through her brother Ronald, as both were serving in the US Air Force, in the Korean War. Through many letters, phone calls, and visits while Ronald was on leave, a budding relationship developed that culminated in their marriage in Grand Junction, Colorado on Oct. 17, 1954.

They moved to Warner Robbins Air Force base in Georgia until the end of Ronald’s enlistment. While in Georgia, Dorothy worked for the federal government. Dorothy and Ronald moved to Milwaukee, where Dorothy worked for the Milwaukee County Court for approximately 18 months. In 1960, they moved to Wind Lake with two children and her third child was born. In 1969 they built a home in the nearby Waterford area where her last child was born.

After her children were old enough, Dorothy began working for the Wisconsin Southern Center in Union Grove for about nine years. After Ronald passed away on March 22, 1983, she continued to work, progressing in her career while raising her two youngest children that were still at home. After several years, she met George Strasser and they were married on June 17, 1989. In 1991, Dorothy and George moved to another home in the Waterford area. During this time, she worked for the State of Wisconsin Division of Vocation Rehabilitation at the Milwaukee Southwest office. Dorothy retired from the State of Wisconsin on March 28, 1997, earning an Exceptional Performance Award for all of her dedicated years of hard work. During retirement, Dorothy and George traveled throughout the US and continued to enjoy their Waterford home. George passed away on Dec. 11, 2014. Dorothy lived in her home until more recently when she moved to Oak Park Place in Burlington, where she remained until she passed away.

Dorothy had a passion for life exhibited in how she raised and cared for her four children. She made many sacrifices to provide her children with an environment filled with love, caring, and direction, resulting in four very well rounded and successful children. She was an avid seamstress who could never pass up a good bargain on material and sewing items, making many clothes for her children and grandchildren, as well as small quilts and other articles. She also enjoyed crocheting and knitting. As a result of being one of ten children in her family and growing up in rural Colorado, Dorothy was a devoted gardener, harvesting fresh vegetables, fruits, and canning to assist in providing wholesome foods for her family.

Dorothy had a strong religious belief, originally as a Mormon when she was growing up and later as a Lutheran when she married Ronald. She was a member of St. Peters Lutheran church since 1960. She shared her deep religious beliefs and her love of God with her children, providing them with the solid foundation that is still the bedrock of their lives.

Dorothy will be remembered most for her kindness, grace, and guidance in raising her children, her humility towards others, and her overall approach to life. She had a calmness and peace about her that will be missed by all those who knew her. May she rest in peace now where she is healed and reunited with Ronald, George, Jenn, and the rest of her family.

Dorothy is survived by her children with first husband Ronald Fitch, Cynthia (Ronald) Hunt, Mark (Dena) Fitch, son-in-law Alvin Barnickel and Jake (Jamie) Fitch. Dorothy is survived by her children with her second husband George Strasser, Debra (Mike) Jacobs, Mark (Natalie) Strasser and Lorrie (David) Rogall. She is further survived by many wonderful grandchildren, great-grandchildren, nieces, nephews other relatives and friends.

She was preceded in death by her parents, first husband Ronald Fitch, second husband George Strasser, daughter Jennifer Barnickel-Fitch, and nine siblings.

Visitation will be Friday, Feb. 10, 2023, from 9:30   until 10:50 a.m. at St. Peter’s Lutheran Church, 145 South 6th Street, Waterford. Services will begin at 11 a.m. followed by burial in the church cemetery.

In lieu of flowers memorials are suggested to St. Peter’s Lutheran Church.

The family would like to thank all the caring staff at Oak Park Place for their patient and compassionate care for Dorothy during her stay. We are also extremely grateful for the guidance and support from the St. Croix Hospice team for providing comfort and dignity to Dorothy on her final journey.

Mealy Funeral Home is serving the family. Well-wishers may visit www.mealyfuneralhome.com.