Kathy Sue Strangstalien

Kathy Sue Strangstalien, 65, of West Salem, passed away peacefully at home on April 6th, 2026, surrounded by the love of her family. She was born in Viroqua on February 15, 1961, to James and Yvonne (Henry) Bolstad, daughter number three in a family of five girls. Kathy graduated from Viroqua High School with the class of 1979. After high school, she accepted a job at Trane Company in La Crosse, where she worked for over twenty years. Kathy later went on to work at Chart Industries, where she remained until her retirement this past year. Kathy married her husband, Rick Strangstalien, on May 8, 1982, and they shared many wonderful adventures together in their 43 years of marriage. The couple originally settled in the Coon Valley area to raise their three daughters, Kylie, Katie, and Kirby. Kathy's greatest joy was her family, and she always looked forward to their summer weekends spent up North camping and 4-wheeling. She enjoyed watching the Packers and Brewers and took great pleasure in attending her grandsons’ various sporting events - even if it meant traveling from gym to gym to catch a game for each. The arrival of her granddaughter, Daisy, in 2024 was a much needed boost as she struggled with her cancer treatments. Kathy was well-known for her fun-loving personality, and she was a favorite Sunday School teacher at Vang Lutheran Church for many years. We will all remember Kathy for her amazing strength, giving heart, great sense of humor, and her special gift for raising your spirits with a simple phone call. 

Kathy is survived by her husband, Rick Strangstalien; her daughters, Kylie (Brandon) Garrison, Katie (Matt) Breidel, and Kirby (Mike) Remus; her grandchildren: Ryder, Hudson, and Calder Garrison; Theo, Jordy, and Myles Breidel; Hayden, Bennett, and Daisy Remus; her mother, Yvonne Bolstad; her sisters, Mary Ann O’Neal, Merna (Mike) Fremstad, Konna (Todd) Spaeth, and Kari (John) Hanson; several nieces and nephews, along with many other relatives and friends. 

Kathy was preceded in death by her father, James Bolstad; her in-laws, Harold and Joan Strangstalien; her brother-in-law, Terry Strangstalien, as well as her grandparents, several special aunts, uncles, and cousins. 

A Funeral Service will be held at 2:00 p.m. on Friday, April 10th, 2026, at Vang Lutheran Church in rural Westby. A visitation will be held at the church from 1:00 p.m. until the time of service. Kathy will be laid to rest in the church cemetery following the service.

Vosseteig Funeral Home & Crematory is serving Kathy's family

708 S. Main St.

Westby, WI 54667

608-634-2100