Obituary
Kay Delores Strittmater
Kay Delores Strittmater (nee Swartz), 87, passed away peacefully Monday, April 21, 2025, at the Onalaska Care Center.
Kay was born April 23, 1937, in La Crosse WI to Leroy (deceased 1972) and Arlene (Dingeldein) (deceased 2013) Swartz. The second of seven children. Kay married Gene A Strittmater on October 27, 1956. They shared 50 years together before Gene’s death in 2007. Kay attended Logan High School and went on to take classes at La Crosse Vocational School. Kay was employed at Trane, Stellick Oil Company as a long-time bookkeeper, Rau Oil & A&C Johnson.
Mother loved playing cards with friends and family, especially the game of Hand and Foot. She enjoyed sitting out on her front porch visiting with the neighbors and tending to her hanging baskets. A special family tradition our mother started, and we could always count on was a very early morning
phone call on our birthday with mother singing Happy Birthday and ending the song with “and many more.” A tradition that will be missed.
Survived by her children, Scott (Kerry) Strittmater, Debra Strittmater, Pamela (Charles) Gleason, & Brenda (James) Goodwin; her sisters, Marcey (Eugene) LaFleur, Betty Swartz, Connie Blix, & Cyndi (Charles) Snider, 8 grandchildren, 13 great-grandchildren and pet Tandi.
In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by her husband, Gene A. Strittmater; brother, Jerry Swartz; sister-in-law, Marilyn Swartz; brother-in-law Robert Cross; sister, Irene Cross; and great-granddaughter, Haelyn Harvieux.
A celebration of life will be held Friday, April 25, 2025, from 12:30-2:30pm at Coulee Region Cremation Group, 133 Mason St, Onalaska.
A private burial will be held in the Mormon Coulee Memorial Park Cemetery at a later date.
The family wishes to thank the staff at Mayo Clinic & Hospital, Onalaska Care Center, and the Mayo Hospice team for the compassionate care given to our mother when she needed it the most. As mother was a breast cancer survivor, memorials preferred to Steppin’ Out in Pink Gundersen Medical Foundation.
Condolences may be made to the family by visiting CouleeCremation.com.
Strittmater Family , we are so sorry for the loss of your mom. She was a special person & will be greatly missed! May you find comfort in the many happy memories that you hold in your heart. Love, Jim & Anne Gleason
Thank you for your kind words. We appreciate your support of our mother and our family.
I love you Aunt Kay , may you Rest in Peace
Thank you Holly for your expression of sympathy.
My dear friend Kay. I only had a couple of opportunities to visit you with Irene, but I took to you right away. Your laughter was contagious, You were full of spunk and a bit of a rebel:) You were loved by many, but made a change of address:
Heaven!😇 Your last breathe on earth was your first breathe in Heaven. Love Carol Reak💕✝️
Carol Thank you for your kind words Mother considered you a close friend and was always grateful for your friendship with Irene. Many blessings.
I was best friends with her niece Ginger, spent a lot of time visiting her house with her. She was the very first client I gave a haircut to when I was in beauty school. She remarked that she was glad she looked good in a hat. I had done her hair a few years later and she remarked that she didn’t need her hat anymore. Sending you all my deepest condolences.
Kathy, thank you for your fond memory of our mother. We remember you well and your friendship with Ginger.
So sorry for your loss. Your mom had such a wonderful attitude and great outlook. She loved to tease me when she saw me. I will remember all the volunteer banquets I saw her at and got to catch up with her. She was such a a giving person with a beautiful soul. May you find comfort in her spirit in the days to come.
Myrna, Thank you for the kind words in the loss of our mother. She always had fun volunteering and then going to the annual banquets. She looked forward to running into special ladies such as yourself when out on her outings. A good laugh and a chuckle brightened her day.
Our deepest sympathies and condolences during this time. You are in our thoughts and prayers. ~ from all of us at Brightspeed.
Melissa, Thank you for your kind words of sympathy in the loss of our mother.
My deepest sympathy to all Kay’s family. She was a good friend and neighbor to my grandparents , then my brother and then my tenants, plus myself. Always stopping in alley to be friendly.
Rest in peace Kay
My deepest sympathies ! I have the best memories of Kay when she worked for my parents at Stellick Oil Company. She was warm, efficient, and a wonderful friend. My father thought so much of Kay that he remodeled part of her home when Gene was ill. You will be missed, Kay!
Maryann, thank you for your kind words about our mother. She certainly loved her job at Stellick Oil. Your dad Robert (Bob) certainly made a huge difference in our lives when he showed dad the way in remodeling our home. His expertise and friendship was always greatly appreciated by both Mom and Dad. Mom also enjoyed so many chats with your mom Margaret. I remember visiting your family home a few times and interacting with a few of your siblings when visiting the office while mom was working. I believe your Mom and my mom corresponded with Christmas cards & chats for quite a few years after the closing of the business. May all rest in peace.
Kay was such a nice person. Ken and I are so sorry for your loss. We will keep the family in our thoughts and prayers.
Ken/Amy Gleason
Hi Shirley, thanks for the kind words. Mom always enjoyed a good neighborhood chat and she had a lot of them over the 50 plus years that we lived in our home. Pretty much the duration that your family was involved with all your properties.