Elizabeth Strnad, 80

Jan. 17, 1945 -

July 17, 2025

 

PLOVER - Elizabeth Ann (Loechler) Strnad, 80, of Plover, passed away peacefully on July 17, 2025 at her home with family under the care of hospice.  She had a long and brave journey with cancer and her warrior spirit will be missed. 

Liz, as most know her, was born on January 17,1945 in Wabasha, MN to Edward and Isabelle Loechler.  She grew up in a large family on the Mississippi River where she spent many summers swimming in the river with friends.  She met her husband, James “Jim”, in 1972 after being set up on a blind date by mutual friends.  They were married at St. Felix Catholic Church in Wabasha on May 11, 1974.  During their 51 years of marriage, they raised 3 children together moving from Iowa to Illinois and finally settling to the Stevens Point/ Plover area in 1987.  She was a homemaker and a member of St. Stephen Catholic Church who involved herself with Lay Ministry, RCIA, and the Marriage Preparation and Encounter programs there.  She also served as the Funeral Ministry Coordinator for the church for a time as well.  Besides spending time with her family, Liz found joy in being near the water and around lighthouses, as well as reading and tending beautiful flowers that filled her yard each year.  Football season was one of her favorite times of the year. She enjoyed cheering on her favorite teams – primarily the Green Bay Packers.  

She is survived by her loving husband; her three children Jennifer Wilkinson (Steve) of Goshen, IN; Paul Strnad of Baraboo, WI; Sara Edwards (Bill) of Highland Park, IL and her four precious grandchildren Garin (Wilkinson), Billy, Sammy, and Jimmy (Edwards) who brought her joy and smiles up to the end.  She is also survived by her brother Bob Loechler (Ann) of Rochester, MN; sister Mary Benson (Jim) of Perham, MN; sister-in-law Donna Loechler of Plymouth, MN and several nieces and nephews.  She was preceded in death by her parents, half-brothers Richard and James (Loechler), brother Edward (Loechler); and half-sisters Delores (Koenig) and Marcella (Schmidt).

A Mass of Christian Burial for Elizabeth will be held at 11:00 a.m. on Friday August 8, 2025, at St. Stephen Catholic Church 1401 Clark Street Stevens Point. Rev Jeffrey Hennes will officiate. Burial will follow in the Guardian Angel Cemetery. Visitation on Friday from 9:30a.m. until time of service at the church. Pisarski Funeral Homes are honored to be serving the Strnad family. To offer online condolences please visit www.pisarskifuneralhome.com  

In lieu of flowers, Liz’s courageous and resilient cancer journey can be honored through donations to the American Cancer Society (www.cancer.org).