Phyllis N. Strosahl

Phyllis Nell Strosahl, 89, of Madison, Wis., died Sunday, July 10, 2011, at her Oakwood Village home. She was born Jan. 30, 1922, near Chippewa Falls, to Henry Benjamin and Nellie Dressel Hinke. Her father had a cheese factory in Holcomb until they moved to Stanley, where he became the bacteriologist for the Amacker Milk Company.


Phyllis was graduated with honors from Stanley High School, where she was active in drama, music and band. She was also active in the Methodist Church, where she was president of the Epworth League and sang in the choir.


She was graduated with honors from Eau Claire State Teachers College in 1943. She was a member of Sigma Pi Kappa sorority.


From 1943 to 1944 she taught junior high social studies and English in Waupaca. She also coached drama.


She married the Rev. Stanford Strosahl (a friend since junior high school days) on June 25, 1944, in a candlelight service at her home church in Stanley.


She was a helpmate to her husband in his United Methodist Church ministerial responsibilities, which took them to Union Grove, Milwaukee, Wauwatosa, Fort Atkinson, Appleton, Fond du Lac, Janesville and Sun Prairie. At each church , she started book study groups, was known for her dramatic readings and was a confidante to many.


She was a teacher's aide in the resource center in Janesville for five years and in the Learning Center in Sun Prairie for eight years. In 2003, she was honored for her 50 years of membership in the PEO.


She and her husband traveled to all 50 states and 26 other countries. They enjoyed attending musicals and plays in many places they visited. Phyllis was an avid reader, especially to her grandchildren, and was a volunteer at the Sun Prairie Library and as a literacy tutor.


She is survived by Stanford, her husband of 67 years; children Mark (Barbara) of Hazelhurst; Sally Strosahl (Tom Johnson) of Aurora, Ill.; Polly Strosahl (the Rev. Jim Kellermann) of Waterford, Mich.; Phillip (Jennifer) of Menomonee Falls; and Dr. Amanda Strosahl (Dr. John Udell) of LaCrosse; and 14 grandchildren, Sean (Crystal) Strosahl, Heidi (fiance Chuck Knower) Strosahl, Andrew (Jennifer) Strosahl, Kyle (fiancee Alisha Ohlert) Strosahl, Katharine Strosahl-Johnson, Noah (Kelsy) Kellermann, Abby (fiance Sean Driscoll) Kellermann, Jon (Vanessa) Strosahl, Jessica Strosahl, Jack Strosahl, Jamie Strosahl, Claire Udell, Hannah Udell and Richard Udell; and great-grandchildren Aubrey, Harper, Evan and Alden, with another due in November.


She is also survived by a brother, Dr. Marvin (Helen) Hinke of Madison; a sister, Ella Mae (Paul) Guthrie of Brillion; a sister-in-law, Keryl Hinke of Fond du Lac, and many nieces and nephews.


In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by three brothers, Dayton, Donald and Warren; and sisters-in law Mary, Ruth and Donna.


The family thanks the staff of Oakwood Village East for the loving care they provided.


A memorial service will be 11 a.m., Saturday, July 30, 2011, at Sun Prairie United Methodist Church, preceded with visitation at 10 a.m. A luncheon will follow.


Contributions can be made to Sun Prairie United Methodist Church or to the Stanford and Phyllis Strosahl Scholarship Fund at Garrett-Evangelical Theological Seminary in Evanston, Ill., where a permanent scholarship fund was created by the seminary, family and friends in 2010.


The Cress Funeral Home, Sun Prairie, is honored to serve the family.