Obituary of Arnold J. Strathmann

Arnold J. “Arnie” Strathmann, age 96, of Colby passed away Sunday, February 9, 2014 at Pine Ridge Assisted Living Center in Colby where he resided for the last two years. Funeral services will be held at 11AM on Saturday, February 15, 2014 at Zion Lutheran Church in Colby. Rev. Mark Neumann will officiate. Burial will follow in Colby Memorial Cemetery. A visitation will be held on Saturday at the church in Colby from 9AM until time of services. Serving as pallbearers will be: Troy Strathmann, Michael Martin, Matthew Martin, Kyle Schilling, Tyler Heil and Dan Holtzhausen. Arnold was born July 6, 1917 in Colby, son of the late Herman and Anna (Lindner) Strathmann. He attended Colby Elementary School, later graduating from Colby High School. Arnie enlisted in the United States Army in the fall of 1940 and served his country for 4 ½ years as a cook keeping hundreds if not thousands of his comrades well fed. Following his honorable discharge from the military, Arnie worked for his father’s painting business which he later took over with his brothers in partnership to form Strathmann Bros. Painting and Decorating. Their painting company was based in central Wisconsin but they did work all over the state. Arnie’s association’s included being a member of Zion Lutheran Church in Colby, a trustee of Zion Lutheran Church, a past commander and former trustee of the Colby VFW Post #2227, a member of the American Legion Post #266 and a former member of the Colby Volunteer Fire and Ambulance Departments. Arnie was very involved in the Colby community, always lending a hand at cooking meals and fixing things at the Colby VFW. For many years Arnie maintained flags on veteran’s gravesites at the Colby Cemetery. Arnie was actively involved with Zion Lutheran Church making repairs when needed, greasing doors, maintaining altar candles, counting offerings, serving as head usher for many years and even climbing the bell tower to give the bell a quarter turn. When recently asked what his greatest accomplishment is life was, he responded painting the church. In 2000, Arnie was the proud recipient of the Colby Citizen of The Year. On October 21, 2012 Arnie attended the Honor Flight going to Washington DC with his brother, Edward and his niece and nephew. That was a special day for Arnie and often he reminisced about that Honor Flight. His hobbies included fishing, bowling and throwing horseshoes. Survivors include one brother Edward (Ila) Strathmann of Colby, his nieces and nephews: Richard (Charlotte) Strathmann of Colby: Beverly Schilling of Colby; Sandra (Gary) Lukas of Abbotsford; David (Michelle) Strathmann of Colby; Linda (James) Martin of Mukwonago; Daniel (Lisa) Strathmann of Owen, Judy (Anthony) Heil of Wausau and Sara (Harvey) Hyslop of Eagle River along with many other relatives and friends. Arnie was preceded in death by his parents, one sister Margaret; one brother Harold; one brother-in-law Fred Zellmer; one sister-in-law Irene Strathmann and one niece Lisa Jochimsen. The family would like to express their sincere appreciation to the staff of Pine Ridge Assisted Living and Ministry Hospice Home Care for the excellent and compassionate care they provided. In lieu of flowers, the family requests memorial contributions be given to the family for future designations to Zion Lutheran Church or the Never Forgotten Honor Flight. Arrangements are entrusted to Life Tributes Funeral Home and Cremation Services-Spencer. Visit www.lifetributesfuneralhome.com to share thoughts and condolences.