Beata A. Strasburg, 93, peacefully passed away on April 17, 2012, at Our House Memory Care in Austin, Minn.

Beata was born on her family farm in rural Fall Creek, Wis. on March 5, 1919, to Rudolph and Ida (Honadel) Boernke. Beata was baptized on March 23, 1919, and then later confirmed on May 22, 1932, at St. John Lutheran Church in rural Fall Creek.

Beata was one of nine siblings growing up on a farm, and loved riding horses bareback. She attended Fall Creek High School, where she was a cheerleader and graduated as co-valedictorian.

On March 14, 1942, she married James Riley Strasburg in Eau Claire, Wis. They celebrated 66 years of marriage before his passing in 2008. Their earlier years were spent in the Foster and Osseo, Wis. area, until 1968, when they moved to the Wisconsin Dells and Mauston area.

As the daughter and a wife of farmers, Beata was a hardworking and busy person throughout her life. She even operated a retail grocery store in Foster while raising six children. As an avid sports fan, she knew the names, positions, and standings for many sports teams and players. She very much enjoyed the company of family and friends with a sense of hospitality and humor.

Beata is survived by her children, Ron (Judy) Strasburg of Superior, Wis.; Bonnie (Dean) Drake, of Dexter, Minn.; Betty Preston of Hopkins, Minn.; Vickie (Larry Fagerland) McCluskey of Ranchero Murieta, Calif.; 10 grandchildren; 15 great-grandchildren, and three more due this year; sister Ada (Warren) Kuehn of Eau Claire, Wis.; sister-in-law Lois Klavetter of Altoona, Wis.; and numerous nieces, nephews, other relatives, and friends.

Beata was preceded in death by her parents; husband Jim; sons Gerald and Michael; brothers Donald, Raymond, Gary, and Hans Boernke; sisters Hazel Zimmerman and Ruth Hepburn and infant sister Lydia, all who will be happy to see her again.

Funeral services were held April 21, 2012, at 11 a.m. at St. Peter’s Lutheran Church in Foster with the Rev. David Fleischmann officiating. Family and friends could call from 10 a.m. until the time of the service, and burial took place at St. Peter’s Cemetery following the service.

The family would like to express gratitude to the staff at Our House Assisted Living and Memory Care in Austin, Minn. for the loving care Beata received on her journey home.

Stokes, Prock, and Mundt Funeral Chapel is assisting the family. Online condolences may be left at www.cremationsociety-wi.com.