Mae K. Strebe

Mae K. Strebe (Thuerwachter) passed peacefully into eternal life on Tuesday, November 14, 2023 at Harbor Haven with her family at her side at the age of 86.
Mae was born on May 22, 1937 in Fond du Lac to Lester and Katherine Thuerwachter. Her childhood was spent working in her family's grocery store,and playing on the shores of Lake Winnebago at her family's lake house.
In 1955, she graduated from St. Mary's Springs and began working at Purina. That year, she met the love of her life, Robert Strebe, and on September 10, 1960, they married at St. Mary's Church. In 1961, they welcomed their first daughter, Mary (Dave) Razner, and in 1969, their second daughter, Lisa (Steve) Michels.
In addition to being a stay-at-home mother, she worked at Wendy's and as a lunch lady and later office/teacher's aide at Chegwin Elementary School. She treasured her time at Chegwin and the opportunities she had to play with the children on the playground, as well as to see her grandchildren as they grew up (and send them back to class when they were pretending to be sick).
Mae's family will always remember her love of sweets, Christmas, taking trips to St. Martin and Hilton Head Island, sipping piña coladas on the cruise ship, and shopping for Quacker Factory sweaters on QVC. She was deeply devoted to her faith, worshiping every Sunday at St. Mary's, and saying her prayers daily. She was a master of the kitchen, whipping up delicious batches of beef stroganoff, Christmas cookies, spaghetti and meatballs, her specialty Chex mix, strawberry pies, and homemade jams. Remaining close to her family was incredibly important to her, so important that at some time or another, most members of her family lived above her and Bob in their upstairs apartment. Dogs were a frequent companion throughout her life, and always loved Mae for sharing her table scraps with them.
While Mae loved many things and many people, the love she shared with Bob was truly something special. It was beautiful to witness, rooted in selfless devotion to one another. They loved to hold hands, take car rides together, go out to eat - particularly to A&W for Papa Burgers - and listen to the songs of Lawrence Welk. Even when Mae lost her sight, nothing could make her smile like hearing Bob's voice. They shared 57 years of marriage together, and after his passing in 2018, she would tell her family how he was still there with her.
In 2020, she moved to Harbor Haven Health & Rehabilitation, and quickly became friends with the nurses and CNAs, thanking them for their care by giving them candy.
Mae is survived by her daughters, Mary (Dave) Razner and Lisa (Steve) Michels; her brother, Sam (Ruthann) Thuerwachter; grandchildren Katie (Riley) O'Hearn, Sarah Razner, and Natalia (Shylough) Michels; sisters-in-law June Strebe and Wendy Gruse, and brother-in-law John Strebe; great grandchildren Jackson, Molly, and Henry O'Hearn; and four nephews, Sam and Dan Thuerwachter, and Jason and Cory Strebe. She was preceded in death by her husband, Robert; parents, Lester and Katherine; her brother, Jack; her granddaughter, Jenna; in-laws, and numerous other family members.
A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated on Friday, November 17th at 11:00 a.m. at St. Mary Catholic Church, 59 E Merrill Ave, Fond du Lac, WI. Mae's family invites relatives and friends for visitation from 9:00 a.m. until the time of services. Mae will be laid to rest next to her husband, Bob, in Chapel of the Risen Christ – Calvary Mausoleum.
A special thank you to Harbor Haven Health & Rehabilitation and hospice for their compassionate care to Mae throughout her stay, especially in her last month.
In lieu of flowers, donations in Mae's name can be made to the Holy Family Warming Shelter, St. Jude Children's Research Hospital, and St. Lawrence Seminary.