Mary June Strause, age 95 of Monticello, died Friday, June 18, 2021 at Pleasant View Nursing Home, Monroe. Mary was born on June 20, 1925 in Muscatine, Iowa, the daughter of Elmer and Mary (Whitlow) Fischer. Mary graduated from Muscatine High School and was united in marriage to Ernie E. Strause on October 23, 1943. The couple farmed in the Darlington and Gratiot area before moving to Monticello in 1964. Mary worked at Microswitch in Warren, IL and retired as a histology assistant in the pathology department of St. Clare Hospital in 1987. She was a member of Zwingli United Church of Christ in Monticello, Women of the Moose Chapter #599, Cecil Jones V.F.W. Auxiliary #1121, Green County Past President’s Parlay, East Mt. Pleasant Homemakers, and the Darlington “Red Rock” Homemakers. Mary was active in the Monticello Amstutz-Marty American Legion Auxiliary #256, Monroe Zilmer-Riley Auxiliary #84, Green County Council of American Legion Auxiliary President (1972-1974), Chaplain (1976-1980), Third District American Legion Auxiliary President (1980-1982), and held several other positions and chairmanships.
She is survived by four children, Judy Crooks of Monticello, Larry (Carol) Strause of Monticello, Patty Blumer (Dick Riesen) of Verona, John (Laura) Strause of Shullsburg; nine grandchildren; 13 great grandchildren; and seven great-great grandchildren.
She was preceded in death by her parent; her husband, Ernie, on Feb. 18, 1997; son-in-law, LaVerne Crooks; a sister, Sarah Belle Fischer; step-sister, Ruth Naber; and step-brother, Clifford Axtell.
Funeral services will be held on Saturday, June 26, 2021, at 11:00 a.m., at Zwingli United Church of Christ, 416 E. Lake Avenue, Monticello, with Rev. Lance Smith officiating. Interment will follow in Highland Cemetery, Monticello. Visitation will be held at the church on Friday, June 25, from 4:00 p.m. until 7:00 p.m. and on Saturday from 9:30 a.m. until the time of service. In lieu of flowers, memorials in Mary’s name may be sent to Zwingli United Church of Christ, Monroe American Legion Auxiliary, Friends of Pleasant View, Green Care Food Pantry in Monticello, or a charity of one’s choice.
The Voegeli-Newcomer Funeral Home, Monticello, is assisting the family. Condolences may be shared at www.newcomerfuneralhome.net
