Ruth “Eileen” (Zernia) Strupp

Ruth “Eileen” (Zernia) Strupp, age 89, of the Town of Big Flats, Wisconsin passed away Tuesday, August 22, 2017 at the University of Wisconsin Hospital in Madison, Wisconsin.

Private family services are planned for a later date.

Eileen was born January 21, 1928 in Milwaukee, Wisconsin to Fred “Fritz” Edward and Anna Lena (Riese) Zernia. She married Earl Sylvestor Strupp on April 1, 1949 in Milwaukee, WI. They had lived in Hartford and Milwaukee. Eileen was a Cub Scout Leader for 6 years to Pack 80 of Milwaukee, which her two sons, Doug and Ronny belonged to. During a time of racial segregation in Milwaukee, she volunteered to be the first “White Den Mother” for a troop of all Afro-American young men. She was a Girl Scout Leader of Cadet Pack of St Michael’s Church of Milwaukee, which her daughter Marlene belonged to. She also belonged to the William McKinley PTA where she held offices of President, Secretary, and Treasurer.

Eileen was President of the Black Jacket Co. Riders Motorcycle Auxiliary of Milwaukee/Grafton.

In 1966 they moved near Kohlsville, Town of Wayne where they owned and operated a farm. She was active in the Feeder Pig Co-op. She was a member of the Allenton Snow Pacers Snowmobile Club. In 1977 they held a snowmobile rally fundraiser on their farm for Muscular Dystrophy. Eileen and Earl were members of the American Legion.

She was the Secretary/Treasurer of Earl’s South Side Auto Body for over 30 years and of the Allenton Auto Body for 1 year until they retired in 1989.

Following their retirement, Eileen and Earl moved to the Town of Big Flats in 1989.
Ruth helped out her brother Frank at Zernia’s Green House in her spare time.
She also managed The Big Flats Thrift Store in the old town hall before the tornado of 1994 destroyed the building. Money raised from the thrift store went to help the volunteer fire department. Ruth was a member of The Big Flats Fire Dept. Ladies Auxiliary. In 1994 she became the president of the Auxiliary. She often cooked or baked for various events at the Big Flats Town Hall such as serving lunch for the firemen after a fire, funerals, Town Hall Meetings and the annually Firemen’s Street Dance.

She was a member of the Salvation Army, and as a couple, they worked yearly at the Community Christmas Dinner at the Friendship Town Hall and raised money by selling food at the yearly Adams County Landfill Recycle forgiveness day.

Eileen was a stay at home wife and mom who also took care of the animals on the farm. She raised four children and enjoyed spending time and spoiling her grand, great-grand, and great-great grandchildren. She enjoyed baking and also canning of fresh vegetables from their large garden. She enjoyed the Thursday Ladies group she belonged to, playing cards and going out for lunch. She also enjoyed reading books and putting puzzles together. Eileen enjoyed helping her neighbors and friends and did so whenever anyone was in need.

Memorials may be directed in Ruth’s memory to her family.
Ruth was preceded in death by parents Fred and Anna (Riese) Zernia; husband, Earl Strupp; son, Ronald Joseph Strupp; Brothers: Harry Riese, Walter Zernia, and Fred Zernia.

Survivors:
Son: Douglas (Pat) Strupp of Allenton/Big Flats, WI
Daughter: Marlene Ziemer of Hartford, WI
Daughter: Deborah Strupp of Big Flats, WI
Grandchildren: Carey (John) Carpenter, Dana (Chris) Hofmeister, and Chris Strupp
Great-Grandchildren: Kayla Nagrocki, Abby Olsen, Samuel Nagrocki and Heidi and Adler Hofmeister
Great-Great-Grandchildren: Ella Lynn and Mia Olsen
Sister: Dorothy Zernia-Genet of Milwaukee, WI
Brother: Wallace Zernia of Hancock, WI
Sister-in-laws: Audrey Strupp, Dee Dee Fisher and Eleanor Rostan-Strupp

Roseberry’s Funeral Home is assisting the family. Visit www.roseberrys.com for online condolences.