Roger John Strasman, age 79, of Shawano, formerly of West Allis, passed away unexpectedly on Friday, July 27, 2018 at his home. Roger was born in Jacksonport, Wisconsin on August 18, 1938 to the late Archie and Ruth (Erskine) Strasman. Following high school Roger enlisted in the Navy and served his country honorably for three years. On May 6, 1961 he was united in marriage to Carolyn “Cookie” Kalamen in New Berlin. The couple raised their family in West Allis where Roger was Captain of the West Allis Fire Department. After retiring the couple moved to Shawano Lake in 1997. Roger was a great man. He was warm, caring, active, capable, and a prankster with a great sense of humor. He loved children and was a foster dad for numerous infants over the years. Roger could always be found helping his neighbors whether he was cutting down a tree or putting in a pier. He enjoyed flying airplanes in his younger years and was an avid outdoorsman who loved to hunt and fish.
Roger is survived by: his wife of 57 years, Carolyn; four daughters, Dawn (Thomas) Ganster of Tigerton, Debra (Peter) Jacques of Appleton, Doreen (Michael) Blattner of Mukwonago, and Darcy (Peter Hurth) Strasman of Sturgeon Bay; 18 grandchildren, Wendy (Justin) Diestler, Erin (Jacob) Klauck, Benjamin Ganster, Sarah Ganster, Nathan (Amber) Ganster, Anna (Karim) Yaghleji, Jonathan (Lakeisha) Ganster, Caleb Ganster, Elizabeth (fiancé Nicholas Boughton) Ganster, Ashley (Nathan) Hanson, Matthew (Julia) Jacques, Bryan (Kylie) Jacques, Danielle (Adam) Syvrud, Luke (Anna) Jacques, Bethany Jacques, Phillip (Kerry) Wirth, Jason Alan Wirth, and Nicholas Blattner; 21 great grandchildren, Josiah, Annaliese, Layla, Noah, Rachel, Addelyn, Jireh, Lily, Amira, Kavion, Lucy, Amelia, Edith, Sarayah, Elliana, Nolan, Logan, Hazel, Theo, Jonas, and Michael. He is further survived by other relatives and many friends.
He was preceded in death by a grandson Eric Ganster, his parents, and a sister, Judith.
A Funeral Mass will be held at noon on Friday, August 3, 2018 at St. Martin of Tours Catholic Church in Cecil with Fr. Tom Farrell and Deacon Mike Grzeca officiating. Military honors will be conducted by the Shawano American Legion Post #117. Visitation will be held at the church on Friday from 10:00am until the time of the service. In lieu of flowers memorials may be directed to St. Martin’s Food Pantry or St. Jude’s Children’s Hospital
Swedberg Funeral Home and Crematory is assisting the family