Barbara Strosahl

Barbara Strosahl, 76, of Hazelhurst passed away on Oct. 7, 2023. Barb was born March 3, 1947, in Milwaukee, the daughter of Rudolph and Mary (Lucas) Lutz.

Barb was raised in Milwaukee and spent many childhood vacations in the Northwoods. She graduated from Riverside High School in Milwaukee in 1966. Barb continued her education at Marquette University with a BSN degree in Nursing.  

Barb married Mark Strosahl in April 1970. They had known each other in high school and dated throughout college. Barb began her career as a nurse in Milwaukee and became a rural home health nurse in Oconto County when she and Mark moved to Gillett. In 1978 Barb and Mark moved to the Northwoods and she began working at Nicolet Technical College shortly after as a Nurse Instructor. Barb later obtained a master’s degree from Northern Michigan University as a Clinical Nurse Specialist. Barb and Mark enjoyed raising their family in the Northwoods with all the outdoor opportunities it presented.  

Barb continued working at Nicolet (with a brief stint at Gogebic Community College) for over 30 years before her retirement in 2010. Many area nurses were in one of Barb’s classes, often turning her routine medical appointments into reunions with a former student! Barb and Mark spent their empty nest years biking, kayaking, cross country skiing and traveled to numerous states by RV with additional trips to Arizona, Alaska and Hawaii. 

In recent years, her favorite hobbies were quilting and gardening. Barb was active in local quilting groups and made many friends through a shared love of quilting. Her creative and beautiful quilts were treasured gifts and are in use at the homes of friends and family. Barb also loved tending to her home flower gardens and growing vegetables at the community garden in Woodruff. Each year Barb had many extra flowers and vegetables to share despite her battles with hungry deer. 

She took pride living independently in the family home she and Mark had always dreamed of.

Barb and Mark were married for 51 years before Mark’s passing in 2021. She is survived by her sons Craig and Amy (Semling) Mares, Hastings, Minn.; Sean and Crystal (Bullion) Strosahl, Neenah; daughter Heidi Strosahl, Rhinelander; and grandchildren Sydney Mares and Ty Mares, Aubrey Strosahl and Joslynn Strosahl. Barb is also survived by many close sisters-in-law and brothers-in-law of the Strosahl family, along with numerous nieces, nephews and friends.

Barb will be missed greatly by the many family and friends who were touched by their time with her.

A Celebration of Life will take place on Saturday, Nov. 4 from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. at Nimsgern Funeral Home in Woodruff, with a time of remembrance at 1 p.m. Family, friends and acquaintances are invited for further remembrance at the Hazelhurst Town Hall from 4 to 8 p.m. the same day. In lieu of flowers, memorial donations can be made to the Pastime Club Adult Day Center in Minocqua.

Online condolences may be shared at www.nimsgernfuneral.com.