Margerete Strack

1937 - 2026

Margerete Strack
Born: July 8, 1937 in Peru, Il
Died: March 10, 2026 in Rockford, Il
Margerete (Cerri-Piecha) Strack, 88, of Peru, passed away Tuesday, March 10, 2026 at OSF St. Anthony Medical Center in Rockford.
Mass of Christian Burial will be held on Saturday, March 14, 2026, at 11:00 AM at St. Joseph's Church, Peru with Rev. Gary Blake, pastor officiating. Burial will follow in Sts. Peter and Paul Cemetery, Leonore. Visitation will be 9:00-10:50 AM Saturday at the church. Arrangements are entrusted to the Mueller Funeral Home, Peru.
Mrs. Strack was born on July 8, 1937 in Peru to Barney and Betty (Meyer) Cerri. She married Charles "Ki" Piecha in 1958. He passed away in August 1976. She married Louis Strack in 1978. He passed away in August 2010.
Mrs. Strack graduated from LaSalle Peru Twp. High School in 1955 and La Salle – Peru – Oglesby Jr. College in 1957. She continued her education through night school and summer sessions, obtaining her Bachelor of Arts degree in 1961, from Illinois State University, her Masters degree in 1970 from ISU, and continued another year of education through the University of Illinois and the College of Education of Evanston, majoring in special education and reading disabilities.
She was an elementary school teacher for 35 years and served as a substitute for an additional 18 years. She taught in Oglesby for a year, Spring Valley for six years and Putnam County for 28 years. She was a sub in many of the area schools. She also served as school board president for Cedar Point school when her sons were in grade school.
She was an active bowler for more than 60 years and served as President and Secretary of the Womens Bowling Association for more than 30 years. She was named Bowler of the Year in 1991. She also received awards from Royal Lanes and the Super Bowl. She was also an active golfer in several courses in the area, being active in organizing many of the women's golf tournaments.
She is survived by two sons, Charles Piecha of Cedar Point and Daniel (Judy) Piecha of Delavan, WI and a sister, Ann Cerri of Spring Valley. She is also survived by two step-daughters, Joan (Terry) Novak of Florida and Debra (Dennis) Tomaszewski of LaSalle and four step-sons, Bob (Diane) Strack, of Wausau, WI, Richard (Diane) Strack of Tonica, Rodney (Rhonda) Strack of Leonore, and Dean Strack of Peru. She is also survived by 20 grandchildren; 41 great-grandchildren; and two great-great-grandchildren.
She was preceded in death by her parents; two husbands; a granddaughter, Amy Missel; a grandson, David Strack; and two step-daughters and their husbands, Lou Ann and Bill Bernardoni and Cathy and John Bangert.
In lieu of flowers memorial contributions may be directed to the Peru Public Library of to the family.
The online guestbook may be viewed and remembrances shared at www.MuellerFH.com.