FITCHBURG - Frank Ronald Streicher, age 77, passed away at Agrace Hospice Care in Fitchburg, Wis., on Wednesday, August 30, 2023, surrounded by loved ones.

Frank was born in Milwaukee, Wis., during the summer of 1946. As far as babies go, he was born gregarious-a trait he nurtured throughout his life.

He was the life of the party even in his youth, including starring in a high school production of Oklahoma and later singing in Cimmy 5, a rock ‘n’ roll band. If you ever met Frank, you may remember his omnipresent laughter and sense of humor.

He graduated from Portage High School in 1964 and then attended UW-Oshkosh. Frank became a father to Todd and Peter during his first marriage.

In 1972 Frank met Sharyn McKee in Iowa City where Sharyn was studying for her nursing degree. They spent many weekends commuting between Madison and Iowa City. They later married in 1975 and had two children - Aaron and Lindsay.

Frank understood the value of a long workday-something he passed on to everybody he came in contact with, especially his family. For decades Frank owned and operated Streicher Renovation, his flooring and remodeling business. He believed in giving others a chance to learn a trade; helping the wayward and those needing rehabilitation -many of whom went on to start their own business. He kept a cigarette and a Diet Pepsi at the ready, regardless of the hour or the posted rules and regulations.

He and his wife restored homes that later hosted a variety of family and friend gatherings for sporting events and holidays. There is little he didn’t try to fix, even in his last months at hospice.

They traveled with friends and family across the United States, to Ireland, and to Portugal among others. In preparation for a trip to Hungary he extensively studied Hungarian language tapes so that he could speak the mother tongue upon arriving in ancestral homelands. He practiced these lessons with more than one unsuspecting stranger at the grocery store or wherever he felt compelled to ask for directions to the butcher shop or ask if the pastry shop was open. Not surprisingly, he very rarely found anybody who could hold up their end of the conversation.

His greatest enjoyment was “going to the cabin” near Antigo, Wis. After a fire destroyed the old cabin, with earnest he began to build a new larger cabin. Each year brought another update: a tennis court, landscaping, a play area, a gazebo.

Frank is survived by his wife, Sharyn (McKee); brothers, Matt (Norene) of Powell, Wy., and Timothy Wickus (Wanda) of Token Creek, Wi.; and sister, Zoean Wickus Barr (James) of Janesville, Wi. Also surviving are his sons, Todd (Rylee Wedekind) of Madison, Wi., Aaron (Patricia Malico Alexandre) of Fitchburg, Wi., daughter, Lindsay of Madison, Wi.; a stepdaughter, Kris Bowles (Brian); and his grandchildren, Ryann, Raine, Oliver, Hank, Alina, and Alysa; and great grandson, Luke. He was preceded in death by his son, Peter Streicher; and his parents, Dorothy Krome and Mathias (Matt) Streicher.

A memorial gathering will be held at GUNDERSON FITCHBURG FUNERAL AND CREMATION CARE, 2950 Chapel Valley Road, Fitchburg, Wis., from 3 p.m. until 6 p.m. on Friday, Sept. 8, 2023. A time of sharing will take place from 6 p.m. until 7 p.m. on Friday.

The family would like to express sincere gratitude to the staff of Agrace Hospice Care for their care of Frank and the invaluable support provided to his family and friends. Online condolences may be made at www.gundersonfh.com. In lieu of flowers, purchasing small trees to refurbish forests can be done through alivingtribute.org.

Gunderson Fitchburg

Funeral & Cremation Care

2950 Chapel Valley Road

(608) 442-5002

Frank Ronald Streicher

July 25, 1946 - August 30, 2023

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