Dewayne E. Strehlow

Dewayne Earl Strehlow, age 76 of Fond du Lac, Wisconsin passed into the arms of God on August 16, 2012 surrounded by his wife, three children and other family members at Rocky Knoll Health Center, Plymouth, Wisconsin.Dewayne battled a prolonged condition of ALS (Lou Gehrig's disease), Alzheimer and the onset of pneumonia. His life was full of joy, family and friends with many days spent on the lakes of Wisconsin and the shores of Port Aransas, Texas. He was an avid fisherman, who lived to fish. He was an ardent Packer-backer and season ticket holder. Born on July 15, 1936 to Earl and Bernice Strehlow in Fond du Lac, Wisconsin, he was born again in Holy Baptism shortly thereafter. Dewayne graduated from Fond du Lac High School class of 1955 where he was selected to Badger Boys State and was the Captain of the Basketball team. Dewayne, a star athlete, played baseball and basketball for several Fond du Lac teams such as Oscars.Dewayne was a moral, patriotic and family man who served honorably in the U.S. Navy from 1955-57. He married Beverly Anne Beusch on August 8, 1959 in Fond du Lac, Wisconsin after meeting in January of 1958. Church involvement was an important part of Dewayne's life as a lifelong Lutheran. He held membership at St. John's Lutheran Church, Plymouth, Redeemer Lutheran Church, Plymouth, Immanuel-Trinity Lutheran Church, Fond du Lac, and most recently, Hope Lutheran Church, Fond du Lac. As a lifelong Christian, Dewayne lived out his vocation as a grocery man at A&P and Godfrey Co/Sentry Stores. He was manager of the Sentry Store in Plymouth starting in 1971. He transitioned to the West Bend Sentry store and then the Kewaskum Sentry store before retiring in 1998.He and Beverly enjoyed cruises to the Caribbean, Alaska, the Atlantic Ocean and foreign travels including visiting countries along the Mediterranean and in Europe. He cherished fond memories of family camping trips and many enjoyable summers in their 5th Wheel at Chain O' Lakes Campground, Eagle River. He enjoyed boating and fishing the Chain of Lakes. Beverly says, "We were fortunate to spend ten winters in Port Aransas, Texas where Dewayne was the "˜Captain of the Jetty' and was the best fisherman, once catching a 42 lb. redfish."Dewayne was a moral, hardworking family man. A quiet and strong husband and father, Dewayne was a good steward of his marriage, family and the environment. During his years wintering in Texas, Dewayne began an earnest clean up along the beaches in Port Aransas. He enjoyed the outdoors and wildlife, which were reflected in his love for the wildlife prints by artist Owen Gromme. Dewayne was known by the phrase "I can run like a deer." His family knew him as a man full of youth and vitality. His strong work ethic was combined with a reputation as a provider of a happy, healthy environment for his wife, children and grandchildren. He will be remembered as a sweet, hardworking and loyal man and will be dearly missed. The family gives thanks to God for giving him eternal rest and peace. Dewayne was preceded in death by his parents Earl and Bernice Strehlow; his only brother Ronald Strehlow; his father-in-law, Earl Beusch; his brother-in-law, Paul Livingood; and his aunts, Margaret Gozinski, Lavona Timm, and Marian Ferch.He is survived by his wife of 53 years, Beverly Anne (Beusch) Strehlow; his daughter, Melede (Philip) Meinzen of West Bend, WI; and his sons, Stephen (Dawn) Strehlow of Park Falls, WI and Gregory (Kristin) Strehlow of Plymouth, WI. He was also survived by nine grandchildren: Rachel (Evan) Janousky of Milwaukee, WI; Micah, Christa and Matthew Meinzen of West Bend, WI; Christopher, Collin and Cade Strehlow of Park Falls, WI; and Zachary and Claire Strehlow of Plymouth, WI; one great grandchild, Noah Janousky of Milwaukee, WI; his mother-in-law Ruth Beusch, of Fond du Lac, WI; sisters-in-law Janet Livingood of Ripon, WI and Grace (Ken) Ditter of St. Cloud, WI; and nieces and nephews: Todd (Mae) Strehlow, Paula (Dan) Fox; Beth Mueller; Boyd (Vicky) Ditter and Carla Halfmann, and several great nieces and nephews.



Visitation for Dewayne Strehlow will be held on Sunday August 19, 2012 from 4-7pm at Uecker-Witt Funeral Home, 524 North Park Avenue, Fond du Lac, WI 54935 and again at Hope Lutheran Church, 260 Vincent St., Fond du Lac, Wisconsin, 54935 on Monday, August 20, 2012 from 10-11am.Funeral Services for Dewayne Strehlow will be held on Monday, August 20, 2012 at 11 am at Hope Lutheran Church. Pastor Steve Huff will officiate. Interment will follow at Ledgeview Memorial Park, N6250 County Road K, and Fond du Lac, Wisconsin 54937. Memorials may be directed to Rocky Knoll Health Center for the Life Enrichment Department or any favorite memorial.A special thank you to Dr. Schroeder and the staff at Rocky Knoll.Uecker-Witt Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements. Additional information and guestbook may be found at www.ueckerwitt.com