Priscilla A. Strek

Priscilla A. (LeMere) Strek 88, Wausau, died Friday December 23, 2011 at Mount View Care Center, Wausau. She was born January 27, 1923, in Tripoli, daughter of the late William and Margaret (Fleischman) LeMere. On June 2, 1947, she married Ronald Strek at St. Michael Catholic Church, Wausau. He preceded her in death April 8, 2011. Throughout Priscilla's almost 89 years, she had cultivated many interests and was active in several organizations, but that did not define who she was. Priscilla's kind, fun-loving, youthful spirit did. It gave her the name of Mother and Friend. Our Mom gave time and attention to her children, Gil, Peggy, Jim and Steve. She also took delight in the neighborhood kids whether they be the Finnegan's, Bacon's, Peroutka's, Reynold's, Baltus', Shoulders', Holmes' or that little Rasmussen girl. Each of them will have their own special memories. Mom frequently took the whole neighborhood tribe sledding up at Wood's Hill. Many evenings we would all walk to Grant School skating rink and skate until the rink's lights went out ending the evening at the Diner with Phosphates and French fries. Not a child went up Cedar Street without warm, dry mittens. When Mom would see a child's little red hands exposed, she would find a pair of, often mismatched, mittens. The next day the mittens would find their way back to Mom with a Thank You note from a parent. During the spring and summer, Mom would teach the neighborhood crew how to make homemade kites and we would fly kites together until one of them broke. Then, it would be Mom to the rescue with her kite repair kit. Back in the day, we went home for lunch from Grant School. During that hour, Mom would play badminton, volleyball and teach us how to throw a bomb of a football pass. We'd make popcorn for afternoon holiday parties with Sandy Shoulders. How Mom would laugh to see Sandy dancing around. Our Mother taught us to be kind to all people. She was a guardian to those with disabilities often watching to make sure a child with a handicap got home safely. Friends were very important to Priscilla. Many of her friends have passed on, but those that continued to share their time with Priscilla, she held so dear. She valued time with her friends Harriett Coyer, Steve Bentz, Beverly Bethke and Bryan Bethke. Shared moments made Priscilla feel so good. Always ready to make a new friend, she was happy to see Mary, Pat Peterson and Peggy Bisgrove come into her life. Someone to chat with; Someone to share a laugh with; Someone to share lunch with. That was Mary, Pat and Peggy. Make new friends, but keep the old. One is silver, the other is gold. Survivors include four children, Gilbert Strek, Wausau, Peggy Cabot, Colorado, James Strek, Tomahawk and Steve (Sue) Strek, Wausau, five grandchildren, Jesse Strek, Washington, Katie & Breck Cabot, Colorado, Danny & Curt Strek, Wausau and one sister, Marlene (Jim) Rochon, Wausau. Besides her parents, she was preceded in death by one grandson, Scott Daniel Strek, two brothers, Loyal and Breck LeMere. Funeral services will be at 11:00 a.m. Friday December 30, 2011 at the Peterson/Kraemer Funeral Home, 1302 Sixth St., Wausau. Rev. William Grevatch will officiate. Burial will be in Pine Grove Cemetery, Wausau. Friends may call on Friday from 10:00 a.m. until the time of services at the Sixth Street funeral home. Online condolences may be expressed at www.petersonkraemer.com