Merval J. Strang

Merval J. Strang, age 84 of Viroqua, died Friday, January 25, 2008. Merval J. Strang, 84 of Viroqua, died Friday, January 25, 2008 at the Bethel Home in Viroqua after a short illness. He was born on September 24, 1923 to Merval Strang Sr. and Emma (Engen) Strang in Iowa County, Wisconsin. His family moved to Vernon County when Merval was 7 years old. He lived in the Viroqua community for the rest of his life. He graduated from the Viroqua High School in 1943 where he excelled in football, basketball and baseball. He served in the U.S. Army from 1943 1946. During that time he was an MP and in the medics. After his service in the army, he continued to participate in sports in the Viroqua City Baseball and Basketball Leagues. He also enjoyed many years of bowling. Merval married Kathleen Fulmer on May 12, 1947. He worked at Freidell Plumbing during which he earned his Master Plumbers license. In 1957 he started his own plumbing and heating business, Strangs Plumbing and Heating. He retired in 1986. Merval and Kathleen celebrated their 60th wedding anniversary May 12, 2007. He was a loving husband, father and grandfather. He especially liked the visits from his grandchildren and great-grandsons. Merval was an accomplished storyteller and never forgot a joke. He enjoyed his weekly bingo games and his daily coffee group. He was a member of the Viroqua Country Club for many years. Merval and Kathleen spent 16 winters in Mesa, Arizona where he loved to play golf. He loved following the Viroqua High School sports. In 1987 he was awarded the "Sports Fan of the Year" for all his support of the Viroqua High School Athletics. He also loved the Green Bay Packers and had season tickets for many years. Merval was a member of the Viroqua Eagles and the American Legion. In addition to his wife, he is survived by two children, twins, Trent (Mary) Strang of Viroqua, and Lynette (Richard) Getter of Viroqua; granddaughter, Nicole (Dan) Hewitt of New Berlin and grandson, Jason Getter of Minneapolis, MN; two great-grandsons, Tyler and Matthew; brother-in-law, Steward Groves; and nephews: Cory Groves, Tim Groves, and Toby Groves. He was preceded in death by his parents, step-father, Gerhard Johnson, sister, Anna Mae Groves, and nephew, Scott Groves. Funeral services will be held on Wednesday, January 30, 2008 at 11:00 a.m. at the Good Shepherd Lutheran Church. The Rev. Margaret Eiben Hoversten will officiate. Burial with military honors will be in the Viroqua Cemetery. Friends may call on Tuesday from 4 to 6 p.m. at the Vosseteig-Larson Funeral Home, 123 W. Decker (Hwy 56) in Viroqua. The family requests that those wishing to give a memorial make a donation to the Vernon Memorial Hospice Building Project. The Vosseteig-Larson Funeral Home of Viroqua is serving the family.