Mrs. Dorothy Lavie Strasser

Dorothy Strasser, age 86, of Waterford, WI, passed away peacefully on February 5, 2023. Dorothy was born on February 23, 1936 in Green River, Utah to George and Lillian (Osborne) Ogden.
Dorothy grew up in western Colorado as one of ten siblings. She graduated from Fruita Union High School in Fruita, Colorado on June 6, 1954. Shortly thereafter she moved to Grand Junction. She was introduced to her future husband, Ronald Fitch, through her brother Ronald, as both were serving in the US Air Force, in the Korean War. A relationship developed through letters, phone calls and visits while Ronald was on leave that culminated in their marriage on October 17, 1954 in Grand Junction, Colorado.
They moved to Warner Robbins Air Force base in Georgia until the end of Ronald’s enlistment. While in Georgia, Dorothy worked for the federal government. Dorothy and Ronald moved back to Milwaukee, WI, where Dorothy worked for the Milwaukee County Court for approximately 1.5 years. In 1960, they moved to Wind Lake, WI with two children and their third child was born. Dorothy and Ronald then built a home in 1969 in the nearby Waterford area where their last child was born.
Dorothy worked for the Southern Wisconsin Center in Union Grove for about 9 years. After Ronald passed away on March 22, 1983, Dorothy continued to work, progressing in her career while raising her two youngest children that were still at home. Several years later, Dorothy met George Strasser and they were married on June 17, 1989. In 1991, Dorothy and George moved to another home in the Waterford area. During this time, Dorothy worked for the State of Wisconsin Division of Vocation Rehabilitation at the Milwaukee Southwest Office. Dorothy retired from the State of Wisconsin on March 28, 1997, earning an Exceptional Performance Award for her dedicated years of hard work. During retirement, Dorothy and George traveled throughout the U.S. and continued to enjoy their Waterford home. George passed away on December 11, 2014. Dorothy lived in her home until recently when she moved to Oak Park Place in Burlington, where she remained until she passed away.
Dorothy had a passion for life, exhibited by how she raised and cared for her children. She made many sacrifices to provide her children with an environment filled with love, care, and direction, resulting in very well rounded and successful adults. She was an avid seamstress who could never pass up a good bargain on material and sewing items, making clothes for her children and grandchildren, as well as small quilts and other articles. She also enjoyed crocheting and knitting. Dorothy was a devoted gardener, harvesting fresh vegetables, fruits, and canning them to assist in providing wholesome foods for her family.
Dorothy had a strong religious belief, originally as a Mormon when she was growing up and later as a Lutheran when she married Ronald. She was a member of St. Peter’s Lutheran Church since 1960. She shared her deep religious beliefs and her love of God with her children, providing them with the solid foundation that is still the bedrock of their lives.
Dorothy will be remembered most for her kindness, grace, and guidance in raising her children, her humility towards others, and her overall approach to life. She had a calmness and peace about her that will be missed by all those who knew her. May she rest in peace now where she is healed and reunited with Ronald, George, Jenn, and the rest of her family.
Dorothy is survived by her children with first husband Ronald Fitch: Cynthia (Ronald) Hunt, Mark (Dena) Fitch, Jake (Jamie) Fitch, son-in-law Alvin Barnickel; by her children with her second husband George Strasser: Debra (Mike) Jacobs, Mark (Natalie) Strasser, and Lorrie (David) Rogall. Further survived by many wonderful grandchildren, great-grandchildren, nieces, nephews, other relatives, and friends.
Preceded in death by her parents, first husband Ronald Fitch, second husband George Strasser, daughter Jennifer Barnickel-Fitch, and nine siblings.
Visitation Friday February 10, 2023, from 9:30 AM - 10:50 AM at St. Peter’s Lutheran Church, 145 South 6th Street, Waterford, WI 53185. Services will begin at 11:00 AM with burial in the church cemetery to follow.
In lieu of flowers memorials are suggested to St. Peter’s Lutheran Church.
The family would like to thank all the caring staff at Oak Park Place for their patience and compassionate care for Dorothy during her stay. We are also extremely grateful for the guidance and support from the St. Croix Hospice team for providing comfort and dignity to Dorothy on her final journey.

Mealy Funeral Home
Waterford, Wisconsin
262-534-2233
www.mealyfuneralhome.com