Carl August Strassburg, age 96, of Waupaca passed away on Saturday, December 23, at Park Vista Assisted Living.

He was born on April 19, 1921 in Merrill, WI, the son of the late Charles and Anna (Koeppen) Strassburg. He married the love of his life, Ruth Ann Krajewski, also of Merrill, on January 31, 1943 in Chicago, IL. Together, Carl and Ruth Ann embarked on careers in education, which after many years led them to Waupaca in 1974. Carl was the Assistant Superintendent for the school district. He was known for his caring ways and for mentoring students along the way to meet their goals. Carl was a WWII Navy veteran who served in the Aleutian Islands and in San Diego during the Korean conflict. Before the war he worked in the steel mills in Indiana. He went to college on the GI bill at UW Stevens Point and received his master’s degree at UW Madison. Carl was an active volunteer. A Kiwanis member for many years, he was also a 10000 hour volunteer at the Veterans Home in King and served on the Waupaca Library Board. As a school board member for 12 years after his retirement from the district, he served as treasurer. He was very proud to be actively involved in the design and construction of the new Waupaca High School. He and Ruth Ann were avid readers. The two of them purchased children’s books for the library and for children in the community. Their home was filled with music and love. He enjoyed fishing and golfing and family trips to the north woods of Wisconsin.

Carl was preceded in death by Ruth Ann on March 17, 2010. He is survived by his children, Brian (Lois) Strassburg, Middleton WI; John (Mary) Strassburg, Stevens Point, WI; Carla (Dave Beauvillia) Strassburg, Wittenberg WI; two grandsons, Wade (Heather) Strassburg and Isaac Strassburg; a great-grandchild, Dyllan; a half-brother Bill (Janet) Kluetz, in Texas, and a sister-in-law, Deloris (Herb) Krajewski of Rhinelander, WI.

A special acknowledgement is due their long time Waupaca neighbors and friends, Bob and Jeanne Bootz. Carl and Ruth Ann were so grateful for their friendship and delighted in watching the Bootz boys grow. They were especially helpful to Carl and Ruth Ann in their later years, frequently checking in at the house and helping them in their times of need.

The family would like to extend a very special thank you to the staff at Park Vista for their loving care of Carl during the last six years. It was reassuring to know he was in good hands at all times.

During the past six months, Thedacare Hospice served in an adjunct role, giving Carl extra care as his health began to fail. From the moment Carl was put on a hospice watch Friday morning, the ensuing combination of Thedacare counsel and compassionate expertise of the Park Vista staff helped ease his pain and kept him comfortable during his last hours.

A memorial gathering will be held at a later date.