Obituary for Genevieve Strobusch (Bretz)
Genevieve M. Strobusch (neé Bretz)
Found peace on May 20, 2022 at the age of 96 with family at her side.
Genevieve was preceded in death by her husband George and their infant son, Little Georgie.
Loving mother of: Alan (Tammy) Strobusch, Barbara (Michael) Stanke, James (Linda)
Strobusch, Gary (Sally) Strobusch, Sandra (Neal) Kruszka, and Pamela (Gary) Meier.
Proud Grandmother/Great-Grandmother of: Marc (Shannon) Strobusch/Julia, Sophia, Ryan;
Jeremy (Nikki Rasmussen) Kruszka; Matthew Strobusch; Jason (Li) Kruszka/Emma; Bonnie
(Jeff) Bennett/Makenzie, Rhys; Stacy (Eric) Barner/Jacob, Ian; Andrew (Gina) Strobusch/Olivia,
Mallory; Bryan (Gabby Van Gompel) Strobusch/Nash; Erik (Rachel Clark) Bakken; Melissa
(Joseph) Vanderwal/Sienna; Kyle Bakken; Megan (Theodore Bink) Meier.
Genevieve (Genny) took pride in hailing from Hibbing, Minnesota, which she was happy
to note, is also the birthplace of the Greyhound Bus Company. Her family moved to Milwaukee
when she was one. Her mother, Francis, a single parent, supported them both by running
rooming houses during the Great Depression. Genny went to work at sixteen and graduated
from Lincoln High School. Over the years she held jobs at the telephone company, working on a
hydraulic press in a war plant, and finally, at the First Wisconsin Bank.
She met George, an active member of the Milwaukee Turners gymnastics team, at a
dance one Saturday night. Their first date was an excursion to “Turner Point” where gymnasts
practiced hand balance and calisthenics. The two were smitten and were married on June 7,
1947.
Genny, a talented designer, skilled seamstress and hand-crafter, became very involved
in the Milwaukee Turners’ cultural activities. Starting in 1968, she entered items in the cultural
competitions winning many ribbons, trophies, and honors, she treasured them all. Genny
eventually became the chairperson of the Milwaukee Turners’ cultural competitions. She also
joined the Ladies Auxiliary and served as president. In 2011 Genny was inducted into the
Wisconsin Turners District Hall of Fame.
She taught all of her children to give back and to volunteer. Genny frequently
volunteered at St. Luke’s Episcopal Church. Similar to the way of the army, if her children didn’t
volunteer, she would volunteer them. Once, she volunteered her electrician husband and sons
to do an important and extensive lighting project in the gymnasium at Turners. Genny was
always available to help others and volunteer her time. Genny used her artistic vision and
design talents to assist her children in their various activities. Whether it was designing and
sewing costumes for their water ballet performances or assisting in building homecoming floats,
Genny was there.
Her greatest accomplishment was raising her six children. She kept her family
organized. Genny even posted a calendar of her children’s daily chores. George was the main
breadwinner but Genny was the glue. She deserved the title of “Chief Negotiator'' for all the
times she helped change George’s “NO” to a “YES” when the children were growing up. After
her children were finally all in school, Genny wanted to go back to work. Her oldest children
decided that being a school bus driver would make sure she was still home for them after
school. Looking back now as adults and parents, her children are amazed at the daily routine
she maintained for so many years. She started breakfast for us before leaving to drive on her
morning bus run. She ran errands, grocery shopped, did laundry, and started supper in between
her bus runs. At night, after supper, she used her talents by teaching crocheting and knitting
classes at Milwaukee Area Technical College. It is said that children learn by example. The
successful, hard working adults her children became is truly a tribute to her.
Genny enjoyed traveling with her husband, children, grandchildren, and friends. Her love
of country music took her on many trips to Branson and Nashville and on several country
western themed cruises. Trips to Hawaii, an Alaskan cruise, a Disney Cruise/Disney World trip
with family, multiple Caribbean cruises, and flying to visit family were truly a joy for her. Genny’s
epic adventure was a trip to Europe with some of her children and grandchildren. Highlights of
the trip included attending the musical “Wicked” performed in London; visiting the Alps and Lake
Lucerne in Switzerland; viewing the Mona Lisa, the Eiffel Tower, and the Can-Can dancers in
Paris. Upon her return, she redecorated her apartment with “everything Paris” and Eiffel Towers
were everywhere.
It’s hard to put into words all the special gifts she gave to her children and grandchildren.
Her ability to forgive and forget was incredible. Her positive attitude was admired by all. She
was always kind, thoughtful, and generous to her family and others. She could strike up a
conversation with anyone and loved to pass on her wisdom and stories. The strength she
showed during George’s illness and passing gave everyone the strength they needed to move
forward. Now, she continues to set an example for us as we transition to life without her.
Genevieve, our memories of Love and Laughter shall never fade, for inside our Hearts,
you will always stay. “There are some who bring a light so great to the world that even after they
have gone, their light remains.” Genevieve Strobusch was one of those lights.
A Celebration of Genevieve’s life and the interment of her ashes will be on Tuesday, June 14,
2022 at 10:30 a.m. at Wisconsin Memorial Park at 13235 Capital Drive in Brookfield, WI.
A catered luncheon will follow the interment.
In lieu of flowers, memorials may be sent to:
South Milwaukee Human Concerns P.O. Box 314, South Milwaukee, WI 53172
smhumanconcerns.org Phone: 414-764-5340
Legacy Hospice at 850 Elm Grove Road, Suite 21, Elm Grove, , WI 53122
legacyhospicecares.com Phone: 262-879-8014
Found peace on May 20, 2022 at the age of 96 with family at her side.
Genevieve was preceded in death by her husband George and their infant son, Little Georgie.
Loving mother of: Alan (Tammy) Strobusch, Barbara (Michael) Stanke, James (Linda)
Strobusch, Gary (Sally) Strobusch, Sandra (Neal) Kruszka, and Pamela (Gary) Meier.
Proud Grandmother/Great-Grandmother of: Marc (Shannon) Strobusch/Julia, Sophia, Ryan;
Jeremy (Nikki Rasmussen) Kruszka; Matthew Strobusch; Jason (Li) Kruszka/Emma; Bonnie
(Jeff) Bennett/Makenzie, Rhys; Stacy (Eric) Barner/Jacob, Ian; Andrew (Gina) Strobusch/Olivia,
Mallory; Bryan (Gabby Van Gompel) Strobusch/Nash; Erik (Rachel Clark) Bakken; Melissa
(Joseph) Vanderwal/Sienna; Kyle Bakken; Megan (Theodore Bink) Meier.
Genevieve (Genny) took pride in hailing from Hibbing, Minnesota, which she was happy
to note, is also the birthplace of the Greyhound Bus Company. Her family moved to Milwaukee
when she was one. Her mother, Francis, a single parent, supported them both by running
rooming houses during the Great Depression. Genny went to work at sixteen and graduated
from Lincoln High School. Over the years she held jobs at the telephone company, working on a
hydraulic press in a war plant, and finally, at the First Wisconsin Bank.
She met George, an active member of the Milwaukee Turners gymnastics team, at a
dance one Saturday night. Their first date was an excursion to “Turner Point” where gymnasts
practiced hand balance and calisthenics. The two were smitten and were married on June 7,
1947.
Genny, a talented designer, skilled seamstress and hand-crafter, became very involved
in the Milwaukee Turners’ cultural activities. Starting in 1968, she entered items in the cultural
competitions winning many ribbons, trophies, and honors, she treasured them all. Genny
eventually became the chairperson of the Milwaukee Turners’ cultural competitions. She also
joined the Ladies Auxiliary and served as president. In 2011 Genny was inducted into the
Wisconsin Turners District Hall of Fame.
She taught all of her children to give back and to volunteer. Genny frequently
volunteered at St. Luke’s Episcopal Church. Similar to the way of the army, if her children didn’t
volunteer, she would volunteer them. Once, she volunteered her electrician husband and sons
to do an important and extensive lighting project in the gymnasium at Turners. Genny was
always available to help others and volunteer her time. Genny used her artistic vision and
design talents to assist her children in their various activities. Whether it was designing and
sewing costumes for their water ballet performances or assisting in building homecoming floats,
Genny was there.
Her greatest accomplishment was raising her six children. She kept her family
organized. Genny even posted a calendar of her children’s daily chores. George was the main
breadwinner but Genny was the glue. She deserved the title of “Chief Negotiator'' for all the
times she helped change George’s “NO” to a “YES” when the children were growing up. After
her children were finally all in school, Genny wanted to go back to work. Her oldest children
decided that being a school bus driver would make sure she was still home for them after
school. Looking back now as adults and parents, her children are amazed at the daily routine
she maintained for so many years. She started breakfast for us before leaving to drive on her
morning bus run. She ran errands, grocery shopped, did laundry, and started supper in between
her bus runs. At night, after supper, she used her talents by teaching crocheting and knitting
classes at Milwaukee Area Technical College. It is said that children learn by example. The
successful, hard working adults her children became is truly a tribute to her.
Genny enjoyed traveling with her husband, children, grandchildren, and friends. Her love
of country music took her on many trips to Branson and Nashville and on several country
western themed cruises. Trips to Hawaii, an Alaskan cruise, a Disney Cruise/Disney World trip
with family, multiple Caribbean cruises, and flying to visit family were truly a joy for her. Genny’s
epic adventure was a trip to Europe with some of her children and grandchildren. Highlights of
the trip included attending the musical “Wicked” performed in London; visiting the Alps and Lake
Lucerne in Switzerland; viewing the Mona Lisa, the Eiffel Tower, and the Can-Can dancers in
Paris. Upon her return, she redecorated her apartment with “everything Paris” and Eiffel Towers
were everywhere.
It’s hard to put into words all the special gifts she gave to her children and grandchildren.
Her ability to forgive and forget was incredible. Her positive attitude was admired by all. She
was always kind, thoughtful, and generous to her family and others. She could strike up a
conversation with anyone and loved to pass on her wisdom and stories. The strength she
showed during George’s illness and passing gave everyone the strength they needed to move
forward. Now, she continues to set an example for us as we transition to life without her.
Genevieve, our memories of Love and Laughter shall never fade, for inside our Hearts,
you will always stay. “There are some who bring a light so great to the world that even after they
have gone, their light remains.” Genevieve Strobusch was one of those lights.
A Celebration of Genevieve’s life and the interment of her ashes will be on Tuesday, June 14,
2022 at 10:30 a.m. at Wisconsin Memorial Park at 13235 Capital Drive in Brookfield, WI.
A catered luncheon will follow the interment.
In lieu of flowers, memorials may be sent to:
South Milwaukee Human Concerns P.O. Box 314, South Milwaukee, WI 53172
smhumanconcerns.org Phone: 414-764-5340
Legacy Hospice at 850 Elm Grove Road, Suite 21, Elm Grove, , WI 53122
legacyhospicecares.com Phone: 262-879-8014