Bernice V. Strutz

Bernice Vivian Strutz, 100, of 542 Wakefield Ave, Fond du Lac, died Sunday October 19, 2025, at Harbor Haven Health & Rehabilitation, Fond du Lac. She was born on September 3, 1925, a daughter to Edward and Ida (Plotz) Lierman in Poygan, Wisconsin. She was the third of their children and spent her youth attending a one room country schoolhouse. Bernice spent her summers working alongside her parents on the family farm. Her Pa raised steer and encouraged Bernice to continue her education as these steer would fund her tuition. Bernice graduated from Omro High School in 1943 and went on to earn her Bachelor of Science degree from the University of Wisconsin - Oshkosh. Bernice devoted 31 years to teaching, with 29 of those years spent in Fond du Lac County before retiring in 1989. After retirement, she remained an active member of the Wisconsin Retired Educators Association (WREA). Her kindness, patience, and love for learning left a lasting impression on generations of students and colleagues alike. On April 16, 1949, Bernice married her high school sweetheart, Arthur C. Strutz. Together they raised four sons, David, Dennis, Jerry and Roy, and one daughter, Linda. In her 50s, Bernice and Arthur enjoyed traveling together in Europe, Canada, and Mexico, as well as attending many of Arthur’s U.S.S. Hermann Destroyer ship reunions. Bernice loved quilting, sewing, knitting, and crocheting. She was a member of the Linettes as well as the quilting circle at Memorial Baptist Church, where she was a devoted and faithful member. Preceding her in death are her sons David and Roy, her beloved husband Arthur, her brother Harold, her sister Althea, her niece Sandy, and her parents. She is survived by her children: Dennis (Jennie) Strutz of Middleton, Jerry Strutz of Fond du Lac, and Linda (Steve) Schneider of Fond du Lac; 11 grandchildren; 10 great-grandchildren; a sister-in-law Shirley Lemieux of Oshkosh; and daughters-in-law, nieces and nephews who will forever cherish her warmth, her gentle heart, and the love she shared with all who knew her. Visitation for Bernice will be held this Friday, October 24, 2025, between 12 noon and 2 pm with funeral services following at Kurki Funeral Chapel, 31 East Division Street, Fond du Lac. Entombment will follow at Shrine of Rest Mausoleum in Ledgeview Memorial Park. Memorials may be directed to Lakeshore Elementary School of Fond du Lac. Kurki Funeral Chapel & Crematory is serving the family, on-line guestbook can be found at www.kurkifuneralchapel.com. 920-921-4420

Bernice V. Strutz

September 3, 1925 - October 19, 2025