PRINCETON — Mary Barbara Strunk, 89, of Princeton passed away Tuesday, Nov. 5, 2019, at Cabin Livin’ Senior Care in Hennepin.
She was born July 15, 1930, in Spring Valley, the daughter of Earl and Lillian (Gurnett) Oakson. Barb married Capt. William Howard Strunk on Feb. 27, 1954, at St. Mary’s Catholic Church in Tiskilwa. He preceded her in death on April 30, 1959.
Barb graduated from Tiskilwa High School with the Class of 1948. She earned her bachelor’s degree in nursing at St. Francis in Peoria. She worked for the Red Cross, Perry Memorial Hospital and Prairie View Nursing Home. Lastly, she worked for many years in downtown Princeton at Country Casuals for her dear friend, Marge Johnson.
Barb had a special devotion to her faith, the Rosary and the Blessed Virgin Mary. She was very involved at St. Louis Catholic Church, where she served on the Parish Council and was a member of the CCW. She was a board member of Greenfield for 30 years.
Barb selflessly cared for her friends and family throughout her entire life. She was loved by many and will live on in the hearts of her children, grandchildren, extended family and friends. She will be so missed but we are happy knowing that she has been reunited with her loved ones that have gone before her.
Surviving are three children, Rebecca Pace of Princeton, Lisa (Gregg) Gondolfi of Ottawa and Anthony William “Bill” Strunk of Tacoma, Wash.; five grandchildren, Whitney (Kent) Tyne of Lake Thunderbird, William “Billy” Pace of Denver, Colo., Joseph (Drake) Gondolfi of Chicago, Samuel (Emily) Gondolfi of Ottawa and Antonio “Tony” Gondolfi of Ottawa; one sister, Norma Jeanne Oakson of Kankakee; five sisters-in-law, Yolanda Oakson, Pat Oakson, Diane Steinhagen, Patricia Landrum and Silvia Forward; and many nieces, nephews and friends.
She was preceded in death by her parents; her husband; three brothers, Joseph, Thomas and Richard Oakson; and one son, Scott Strunk.
Cremation rites will be accorded and visitation will be from 9 to 11 a.m. Saturday, Nov. 9, at St. Louis Catholic Church in Princeton. A memorial Mass will be at 11 a.m. at the church. Burial will take place in Oakland Cemetery at a later date.
Memorials may be directed to the American Diabetes Association, St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital or Greenfield Retirement Home in Princeton.
The Grant-Johnson Funeral Home in Princeton is handling arrangements. Online condolences may be left at www.grant-johnsonfh.com.
