August Ambrose Strassman

MADISON – August (Augie) Strassman, age 84, passed away unexpectedly at St. Mary’s Hospital on Monday, August 29, 2011. Augie was born on November 8, 1926, in Madison, son of August J. and Rose (Raemisch) Strassman. He attended Madison Edgewood High School, graduating in 1947 after returning from service in the armed forces. He served in the United States Navy for 23 months during the latter part of World War II. He was attached to the Pacific Fleet on a personnel and officers ship working in maintenance. After being decommissioned he worked as a carpenter in Tampa, Florida, eventually returning home. He then married Grace Virginia Long on May 1, 1948. Augie was an avid stamp collector, fisherman and all-around good guy. Some of his favorite pastimes were camping with the family, going to the grocery store to find the “best” deals, and having a bowl of vanilla ice cream almost every day! He worked as a carpenter for the State of Wisconsin for many years, retiring in 1990. He was a craftsman of the “old school,” always performing the job with a special touch and always with an eye to do it right. He was proud to be one of a few designated personnel to be allowed access to the “Golden Lady” – Miss Forward, sitting atop the Capital building in Madison. On semi-annual fishing excursions to northern Wisconsin he gained a reputation as the “fastest remote control TV channel switcher in the Midwest.” Augie had a great sense of humor and was a genuinely nice man. Most of all, Augie loved his family and we will miss him greatly. He is survived by his wife Grace; brother, Gerald; sister, Delores of Madison; and seven children, Cindy (Roger) Beck, David (Cheryl) Strassman, Donald (Diane) Strassman, Mary (Mark) Grosse, Cathy (Marva) Strassman, Christine (Jim) Nygren, and Lisa (Tom) Robson. He is also survived by 19 grandchildren and 15 great grandchildren. He was a cancer survivor who had gone through numerous experimental treatments, always with a positive attitude while never complaining, even though we all knew he experienced great pain. His courage was very much admired. Augie was preceded in death by his parents, August and Rose Strassman; and two brothers, Delmar and Raymond Strassman. Funeral services will be held at GUNDERSON FITCHBURG FUNERAL HOME, 2950 Chapel Valley Road, Fitchburg, at noon on Friday, Sept. 2, 2011, with the Rev. Ross Oestreich presiding. Visitation will be at the funeral home from 10 a.m. until the time of service on Friday. A luncheon will follow the service at the funeral home. Interment will take place at Highland Memory Gardens at a later date. In lieu of flowers, please make donations to the ALS Foundation in honor of Augie’s daughter-in-law. “Any man can be a father. It takes someone special to be a dad”. Author Unknown. Dad…you were truly special! Cemetery: Interment will take place at Highland Memory Gardens at a later date. In lieu of flowers, please make donations to the ALS Foundation in honor of Augie’s daughter-in-law. Visitation will be at the funeral home from 10 a.m. until the time of service on Friday. Funeral services will be held at GUNDERSON FITCHBURG FUNERAL HOME, 2950 Chapel Valley Road, Fitchburg, at noon on Friday, Sept. 2, 2011, with the Rev. Ross Oestreich presiding. A luncheon will follow the service at the funeral home.