Howard Strassman

On July 9th, 2017, Howard Strassman passed away at St. Mary's Hospital surrounded by his loving family. He was born on August 17, 1924 to Edward and Lulu (Jacoby) Strassman in the township of Verona, WI. Howard was the fourth of eight children and grew up on the family farm. He graduated at the age of 16 from Verona Area High School in 1941 and attended college at the UW-Madison until he could join the war effort. He studied engineering and picked up the sport of boxing.

Howard enlisted in the U.S. Army during World War II following in his older brothers' footsteps and while stationed in Central Europe he most notably fought in the Battle of The Bulge. As with many from the "greatest generation", his service and devotion to our country will always be an inspiration to us.

After being honorably discharged, Howard began working in carpentry which led him to start his own business, Strassman Construction, in 1963. He took great pride in his work and for over thirty years, his business built and remodeled hundreds of homes in the Madison area. Building homes for family and friends brought him the most joy and satisfaction. Howard also enjoyed being builder/owner of the Verona Bowl for many years.

While out dancing, Howard met the love of his life, Helen McDermott, and they were married on August 12, 1950. They enjoyed almost 59 years of marriage raising their family and building a life together before Helen's death in 2009. Howard is survived by his five children, Greg, Gloria, Dave, Tim (Dawn), and Michelle (Dean) Nelson.

Howard was a skilled outdoorsman and enjoyed hunting, fishing, and camping. He was a shrewd card and cribbage player, an excellent bowler, a great dancer, and an avid golfer. He was a proud member of the VFW and other community groups. In his later years, Howard and Helen enjoyed visiting the family cabin in Three Lakes, Wisconsin, and traveling the US in their RV visiting relatives and taking in the scenic sites. Howard was always the jokester, loved to "shoot the breeze" with everyone, and hated to miss a party. He had a strong sense of responsibility for his loved ones and the people that worked with him. People knew Howard to be a dependable, loyal, and honest person. He will be greatly missed by all that knew him.

Howard is further survived by his thirteen grandchildren, Brian, Stacy, Kayla, Wesley, Jeni (Jonathon) Christen, Joe, Elizabeth, James, Matthew, Heidi (Mike) Bernhardt, Tim, Evan, and Pierce; his six great-grandchildren; his sisters, Justine Schmid and Genevieve Flynn; his sisters-in-law, Kate Strassman and Marie McDermott; his daughter-in-law Darlene; and many other family and friends. Howard was preceded in death by his wife and parents; brothers, James, Carl, Norman, and Edward; his sister, Mary Short; and other relatives and friends.

A mass of Christian burial will take place on Monday, July 17, 2017 at Our Lady Queen of Peace at 11 a.m. with Monsignor Jim Uppena presiding where Howard was a member for over 60 years. A visitation will also take place on Sunday, July 16th from 4 to 6 pm. at Cress Funeral Home, 3610 Mineral Point Rd., Madison, WI and at 10 a.m. until the time of the mass on Monday. Burial will follow at Highland Memorial Gardens in Cottage Grove with full military honors.

Because of his determination and sheer will power, Howard was able to battle Parkinson's for over 30 years. His high quality of life was made possible with the help of a great medical community, attentive caregivers, and a loving family. In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations be made in Howard's honor to a Parkinson's disease related charity or charity of your choice.

We love and will miss you Dad/Grandpa! You will not be forgotten.