Richard "Rick" Strauss

McFarland- Richard “Rick” Strauss, age 82, passed away after a brief battle with cancer. He was born in Chicago on December 2, 1941 the son of Richard and Janet Strauss. 

Rick grew up in Wilmette, IL and graduated from New Trier High School. He received his bachelor’s and master’s degree in civil engineering from University of IL. On May 29, 1965 Rick married Judith Kaye Geeseman. Together they enjoyed going on rides to find breakfast and good coffee, and traveling, especially to Yellowstone National Park. 

Rick worked as a Civil Engineer for the WI DOT for 34 years working on roads and bridges. He started his career working on the bridge at Highway 12 in Sauk City, and ended his career completing that project again. He loved spending time at his family cabin on Stony Lake in MI, military planes, researching history, collecting hats, dinosaurs, planting trees, everything Science Fiction, astronomy, fishing, and computers. Rick was very patriotic and loved his country. He enjoyed watching Badger and Packers sports. Most of all Rick enjoyed being with his family, especially with his children and grandsons. He was a good man and will be missed by everyone who knew him. 

Rick is survived by his wife of 59 years, Judi; four children, Fredric (Nee Ratanasaeng) Strauss, Gary (Bren Radtke) Strauss, Jessica (Walter) Roth, and Jonathan Strauss; four grandsons, Logan, Luke, Ben and Brevid; sister, Kathy (Larry) Winingar; and many nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by his parents; brother, Phillip; and sister, Barbara (Dick) Boell.

Memorial services will be held at 11:00 AM on Thursday, May 30, 2024 at Cress Funeral Home, 5801 Highway 51, McFarland, with Rev. Peter Erickson and Rev. Kelli Schmit officiating. Friends and relatives are invited to a luncheon immediately following the service in the Cress community room. Friends may greet the family from 10:00 AM until the time of services Thursday. Memorials may be made to McFarland Lutheran Church or American Cancer Society.

Please share your memories of Rick by posting in his Guestbook.

Cress Funeral Services

5801 Highway 51, PO Box 105, McFarland

(608) 838-0655