Marilee E. Strenge, 86, Melvin

A funeral service in memory of Marilee E. Strenge was held Monday, Oct. 14, 2024, at St. Cecilia’s Catholic Church in Sanborn. Fr. Tim Hogan officiated.

Pallbearers were Jorge Rodriguez, Ben Preusser, Troy Kaufman, Kevin Strenge, Alec Strenge and Marty Preusser. Burial was in St. Cecilia’s Catholic Cemetery at Sanborn. Sanborn Funeral Home assisted with the arrangements.

Marilee Elizabeth Strenge was born in Cherokee on Dec. 11, 1937, the only daughter of Marius Maxine “Stub” and Ruth Elizabeth (Flanigan) Streeter. She spent her youth in the Cherokee area and received her early schooling there. When her family moved to Melvin, she continued her education at Melvin Community School.

Marilee was united in marriage to Daryl John Strenge on July 14, 1953 in Cherokee. They made their home near Melvin where Daryl was engaged in farming. Four children would make their family complete: Steve, Mike, Karen and Matthew.

Along with helping Daryl on the farm and caring for her growing family, Marilee gave back to her community by being a 4-H judge at the Osceola County Fair, belonging to the Sibley Hospital Auxiliary and serving on the board of the Melvin Public Library, a place she frequently visited. She was also an active member of St. Cecilia’s Catholic Church in Sanborn, serving as a CCD teacher and helping on other committees and programs within the church.

When her children were in school, Marilee made it a point to be involved in their activities and attend their events and programs. In the summer she tended a big vegetable garden, canning or freezing the produce for everyone to enjoy during the winter months. She also loved to cook and bake, so you could always find something good to eat in Marilee’s kitchen. Handwork was another of her special talents. Over the years she would knit or crochet many beautiful keepsakes for her kids and grandkids. Other favorite pastimes included reading, sewing or playing the piano. In later years she and Daryl enjoyed traveling together, taking one-day road excursions or going on short trips with their good friends.

Yet no matter what she did or was involved in, her family came first. She was a loving wife, mother, grandmother and friend, always there to lend a hand or be an understanding listener. Her ready sense of humor kept life’s problems in perspective. She will surely be missed by all who knew and loved her.

Marilee passed from this life on Tuesday, Oct. 8, 2024, at the age of 86, and is reunited with loved ones who have gone before: her parents, Stub and Ruth; her brothers: Michael Streeter and Gene Streeter; grandson, Seth Strenge; and sister-in-law, RobN Streeter.

Keeping her memory close in heart are her husband of 71 years, Daryl, of Melvin; her children: Steve Strenge (Maria Elena), of Centerville, Ohio; Mike Strenge, of Milford; Karen Preusser (Marty Preusser) and Matthew Strenge (Hannah Reha), all of Minneapolis, Minn.; grandchildren: Rina Strenge (Travis Foster), Neleka Strenge (Max Dygert), all of Las Vegas, Nev.; Eric Strenge, of Newton; Jorge Rodriguez, of Dayton, Ohio; Alec (Taylor) Strenge, of Sioux Falls, S.D.; Ben Preusser, of Los Alamos, N.M.; Hannah Preusser, of Winona, Minn.; and Caitlin Preusser, of Pittsburgh, Pa.; five great-grandchildren; other relatives and many dear friends.