Marjorie Strobel

Marjorie Lillian Strobel, age 94, of Plymouth, passed away peacefully on Wednesday evening (March 27,
2019) at Sharon S. Richardson Community Hospice with her family by her side.
She was born in Milwaukee, WI on June 9, 1924, a daughter of the late Peter and Anna (Theis) Becker.
Marge attended St. Boniface Catholic Grade School in Milwaukee. She attended Messmer High School
for one year before attending and graduating from North Division High School in Milwaukee.
While visiting her sister Dolores in Plymouth, whose husband Leonard owned a funeral home, Marge
met Charles Strobel, who worked with Leonard. Her visits became more frequent and they knew they
were falling in love. When World War II broke out, Chuck enlisted in the Navy. While he was serving
overseas, Marge worked at Cutler-Hammer Company in Milwaukee as a Photostatic Reproductionist in
the Blueprint Department working on Navy plans. After Chuck’s return from the war, the couple were
married on June 8, 1946 at St. Boniface Catholic Church in Milwaukee. They began their married life
together in Plymouth where Chuck continued his work with Leonard in the funeral business and the
start up of the Plymouth Cheese Counter. Marge worked there as a (pregnant!) roller skating carhop,
serving custard.
With a growing family, and another funeral business opportunity, Marge and Chuck moved to Janesville,
WI. A year later, they returned to Plymouth when Leonard asked for Chuck’s help with both the funeral
home and the start up of a new cheese business, which would become Sargento. While Chuck’s work led
him to eventually being named President of Sargento, Marge also contributed to the business
volunteering her artistic abilities. With her children at the table doing homework, she created packaging
designs and promotional materials, including the original Sargento logo.
Marge wanted a large family and being a loving mom to her nine children gave her the most fulfillment.
Though times were tight and her family was growing, she relied on her creative ingenuity to provide the
most for her family with limited resources. Nothing was too difficult if it meant providing memorable
times, including climbing a hill with her nine children, a canvas tent, crib and camping supplies, all so
that the family could enjoy the view while there.
Marge was an artist and a writer. One of the ways she shared her gift for storytelling was through
writing the family history in the most creative and amusing way. Her handwritten letters were also filled
with humorous stories accompanied by even funnier sketches and were typically never less than 7 pages
long! Never content with keeping life simple, she never met a room she didn’t want to rearrange. She
sang beautifully, often while making dinner or while putting her children to sleep. She had learned to
play piano by ear and shared her love for music with her children and grandchildren. She enjoyed
crossword and jigsaw puzzles, and a good game of Scrabble enhanced by her inventive sense of humor
was one of her favorites. On her own time she enjoyed reading historical memoirs and family sagas.
She was a member of St. John the Baptist Catholic Church in Plymouth. She also was a member of the
Plymouth Fun Club.
Survivors include: 9 Children: Bonnie Strobel of Manitowoc, Barbara (Michael) Dellger of Sheboygan, Phil
(Diane) Strobel of Cedarburg, Vicki (Steve Schwartz) Strobel of Kalama, WA, Rich (Penny) Strobel of
Cedarburg, Jeff (Pat Zingsheim) Strobel of Spring Green, WI, Lori (Dan) Jarosh of Plymouth, Susan (Bill)
Angoli of Maribel, WI, and Dave Strobel of Plymouth; 21 Grandchildren; 7 Great-grandchildren; and
Sister-in-law: Rita Zolp.
She is also survived by many nieces, nephews, other relatives and friends.
Marge was preceded in death by: Her Parents; Husband: Chuck; Siblings: Jerry (Doris) Becker, Dolores
(Leonard) Gentine, El (Marian) Becker, Ray (Adeline) Becker, and infant siblings: Rosella, Marcella, and
Francis; and Brothers and Sisters-in-law: Virginia (June) Tupper, Paul (Angie) Strobel, Ethel (Ralph)
Payne, Harry Strobel, Evie (Kenny) Eigenberger, and Ben Zolp.
A Mass of Christian Burial will be held on Tuesday (April 2, 2019) at 12 Noon at St. John the Baptist
Catholic Church in Plymouth. Father Dennis Van Beek will officiate. Burial will be in the Parish Cemetery.
Visitation will take place on Monday evening (April 1) from 4:00 – 7:00 P.M. at the Suchon Funeral Home
in Plymouth, and at CHURCH on Tuesday morning (April 2) from 11:00 A.M. until the time of Mass.
Growing up, she always loved spending time during her childhood summers with her grandma at the
bottom of Holy Hill, where the Discalced Carmelites would come to visit. Therefore, in lieu of flowers,
memorials are suggested in Marjorie’s name to Holy Hill Basilica – National Shrine of Mary, Help of
Christians. Online donations can be made at https://development.holyhill.com//donations/secure-
donation-page.aspx
The Suchon Funeral Home and Cremation Services of Plymouth is assisting the family. For online
condolences, please visit www.suchonfh.com
The family would like to send special thanks to the staff of Sharon S. Richardson Community Hospice for
the wonderful care and compassion given to Marge.