Marilyn F. Strusz

Marilyn F. Strusz, age 69, of Appleton, passed away on July 31, 2021, the day of her and Gene’s fiftieth wedding anniversary. She was born on September 5, 1951, the daughter of Ben and Faye (Hahs) Kehren in Lake City, Minnesota.

Marilyn was baptized into the Christian faith at St. Peter Lutheran Church, Belvidere Twp., Goodhue, Minnesota. It is also there where she attended elementary school, was confirmed in her faith of Jesus as her Savior, and later married Eugene “Gene” Strusz on July 31, 1971.

Marilyn graduated from the Red Wing School of Practical Nursing in August of 1970. After working in New Ulm, Minnesota for one year, she and Gene moved to Appleton where she was an LPN at Appleton Medical Center for thirty years. The time clock meant nothing to Marilyn as she worked tirelessly to fulfill the needs of all assigned to her care. This dedication led to her being honored as employee-of-the-year for the Theda Care medical group.

Church and her faith in Christ meant everything to Marilyn. A weekly highlight was to hold hands with Gene while singing hymns in worship. During the last fourteen years of her life, she struggled with health issues, but kept her eyes on attaining eternal joy in heaven. “Jesus said to the woman, ‘Your faith has saved you; go in peace.’” (Luke 7:50) We now rejoice for Marilyn’s day has come.

Marilyn will be remembered for her gifts of crocheted hand puppets to children and churches, her annual gifts of containers filled with decorated Christmas cookies, and her creative cakes. Her string crocheted snowflakes decorate many homes each Christmas Season. Loving and gifting was her specialty.

Marilyn is survived by her husband and Christian companion, Gene; children Paul Strusz, Jon (Stef) Strusz, Becca Strusz, Mike (Naomi) Strusz; grandchildren Mercedes Lexvold, Elijah, Sawyer, and Alivia Strusz; her sisters Rozanna Stockman, Virginia (Randy) Thorne, Irene (Bob) Rehmer, Hannah (Mark) Jabs, Alice (Andy) Helming, Dorothy (Mike) Lodermeier; her brothers Martin (Barb) Kehren, Milton (Jamie) Kehren; brothers-in-law Harry (Arlene) Strusz, Dan (Cheryl) Strusz; sisters-in-law LuRene (Larry) Groth, Sonja (Brad) Engelke; numerous nieces and nephews. In addition to her parents, Marilyn was preceded into death by her brother Michael Kehren, nephew Lance Kehren, and brother-in-law Richard Stockman.

The Christian Funeral will be held at 11:00 AM on Saturday, August 7, 2021, at St. Peter Lutheran Church, N2740 N. French Road, Appleton. Visitation will be held at the church from 9:30 AM until time of the service. Interment will be at Freedom Community Cemetery immediately following the service.