By Caryl Dierksen Last week I received an email from a politician asking for a contribution. There’s nothing unusual about that. But the subject line …
August 29, 2025
Ferdinand “Fred” J. Strang Sr., 89, Woodstock, died Tuesday, April 23, 2013, at JourneyCare Hospice, Woodstock, after a brief illness.
He was born July 26, 1923, in Zams, Triol, Austria, to Joseph and Marie (Greener) Strang.
On July 31, 1943, he married Ruthella “Midge” Latham.
He was a veteran of the U.S. Navy and served in the Pacific Theatre during World War II.
He was proud of getting his pilot’s license and loved to fly.
In 1946, he opened Fred’s Upholstery in Woodstock. Three generations of family members continue to serve his customers at the shop.
He was a longtime member of St. Mary Catholic Church, Woodstock, as well as the Woodstock Moose Lodge and Woodstock VFW Post 5040. He liked gardening and traveling and will be missed by all who knew him.
Survivors include a son, Fred (Janice) Strang Jr.; two daughters, Mary Jo (James) Montalbano and Kristine (Rick) Rasmusen; seven grandchildren, Steven Strang, Craig (Tina) Strang, Erin (Jason) Hitchcock, Jennifer Cobb, Megan (Jake) DeWalt, Rick (Amber) Rasmusen Jr. and Michael (Emily) Montalbano; 13 great-grandchildren, Kayla, Jackson, Riley, Jovie, Haley, Hope, Tommy, Benjamin, Jayne, Joseph, Makenna, Madylin and Ryder; a brother, George Strang; two sisters, Mary Ann Spurgeon and Josephine Leden; and many nieces and nephews.
He was preceded in death by his parents; his wife, in 2006; an infant daughter, Kathleen; a brother, Herman; and a sister, Pauline.
Visitation and the funeral Mass were April 26 at St. Mary Catholic Church.
Burial, with military honor guard by VFW Post 5040, followed at McHenry County Memorial Park, Woodstock.
Memorials can be sent to St. Mary Catholic Church, 312 Lincoln Ave., Woodstock, IL 60098.
Arrangements were made by Schneider-Leucht-Merwin & Cooney Funeral Home, Woodstock.
