Grace Virginia Strassman

FITCHBURG- Grace Virginia Strassman, age 81, passed away on Sunday, Oct. 16, 2011, at University Hospital. She was born on Oct. 23, 1929, in Indianapolis, Indiana, the daughter of Arthur Jackson Long and Cynthia Polly King. Grace attended high school at Madison West, graduating in 1947. She married August A. Strassman in 1948. They together raised a family of seven and were married 63 years. Grace lost the love of her life on Aug. 29, 2011. Her family finds peace in that she died of a broken heart. Grace was a person of strength, love, patience and kindness, without an enemy in the world. She loved every child as if they were her own. She was an amazing seamstress, cook (especially Sunday morning cinnamon rolls), joke teller and QVC shopper. We believe that QVC has lost their best customer and the Fed Ex driver has just lost his job. Some of her favorite things were the color purple, angels, fairies, dolls and family camping trips. One of the things her children admire most is that she raised her brothers and sisters from the age of twelve, married at 18 and then went on to raise her own seven children. Grace learned to drive school bus shortly after learning how to drive at the age of 40. She devoted herself to driving bus for Richardson Bus Service for 22 years. She is survived by her five siblings; seven children, Cindy (Roger) Beck, David (Cheryl) Strassman, Donald (Diane) Strassman, Mary (Mark) Grosse, Cathy (Marva) Strassman, Christine (Jim) Nygren, and Lisa (Tom) Robson; 19 grandchildren; and 17 great-grandchildren. Grace was preceded in death by her husband, August; parents; and sister Bonnie. Funeral services will be held at GUNDERSON FITCHBURG FUNERAL HOME, 2950 Chapel Valley Road, Fitchburg, at 7 p.m. on Thursday, Oct. 20, 2011. Visitation will be at the funeral home from 5 p.m. until the time of service on Thursday. Interment will take place at Highland Memory Gardens at a later date. In lieu of flowers, please make donations to the Diane Strassman Fund with the ALS Foundation in honor of Grace’s daughter-in-law. Mom was very proud of all her family and we will miss her very much! Cemetery: Interment will take place at Highland Memory Gardens at a later date. In lieu of flowers, please make donations to the Diane Strassman Fund with the ALS Foundation in honor of Grace’s daughter-in-law. Visitation will be at the funeral home from 5 p.m. until the time of service on Thursday. Funeral services will be held at GUNDERSON FITCHBURG FUNERAL HOME, 2950 Chapel Valley Road, Fitchburg, at 7 p.m. on Thursday, Oct. 20, 2011.