Marjorie Rose (Steininger) Strauel

The Strauel Family is deeply saddened at the passing of their matriarch, Margie.

Marjorie Rose Strauel, nee Steininger, age 90, went home to be with the Lord on May 26, 2023 at her home.  Marge was born September 18, 1932 in Aurora, Illinois, the first child of Elmer and Margaret, nee Emery, Steininger.  She was raised on the family farm in Naperville on land currently known as White Eagle Golf Club.  Marge attended Naperville High School.  One day as a high school junior, Margie was walking near the school and caught the eye of a senior named Norm, who was driving by the school.  Norm offered Margie a ride which she happily accepted.  This, Margie would soon learn, was to become the love of her life, Norman Frank Strauel.

The two married at Ss. Peter and Paul Catholic Church in Naperville on November 18, 1950.  They soon started a family and would raise three children.  Norm and Marge settled and raised their family in Downers Grove, where they lived for 43 years until moving to the Carillon community in Plainfield in 1998.

Marge was the beloved wife of Norm for 69 years until his death in 2019; loving mother of David (Karen), Randy (Nancy), and Lori Strauel; cherished grandmother of Beth (Chuck) Goff, Brian (Daniela) Strauel, Sarah (Trevir) Gentile, Lisa Strauel, Allyssa (fiancé Jack West) Fogarty and the late Janine Strauel; adoring great-grandmother of Evan Strauel; Trevir Jr., Payton, and Calvin Gentile; Jackson Perez, Raquel Strauel and a baby boy due in August; dear mother-in-law of Chris Strauel; fond aunt and great-aunt of many.  She was preceded in death by her husband, parents, brother Charles (Leah), granddaughter Janine and grandson-in-law Marc.  

Marge made a career at the Township of Downers Grove  She also worked as a waitress at Bob’s corner, and a while at Jewel Osco.  

Her house was the place where all the neighborhood kids hung out.  Margie’s house was always immaculate, and she tried to set an example for her family.  She was loved by everyone and remembered for her hugs.  Marge loved whoever you loved.  She knew everyone deserved to feel love and be understood.  And she always rooted for an underdog.  

Marge loved to shop and always found good reasons to.  Whether it was back to school shopping or after a sleep over, she always wanted to take the grandkids or great grandkids out for a treat. Handing them a few dollars wasn’t uncommon either.

Margie was very much and always a lady.  She maintained her looks and took much pride in keeping up her appearance.  Manicures, weekly beauty shop appointments, and keeping wrinkles away!  We smile at memories of her taking down her tanning light, putting her face in front of it and getting her glow on.  And spending time at the Clinique Counter.

Both Marge and Norm loved animals, owning several dogs and cats during their lifetimes.  At the time grandkids came into Margie’s life, she owned a dog named KC, so the young grandchildren simply called her Grandma KC. 

She always made each child and grandkid feel special in his or her own unique way.  She never yelled or lost patience with the kids but always had a sweet treat (fudge sticks, ice cream float, Pixies).   Everyone had a favorite dish and memory with her cooking skills and favorite meals.  Her driving skills were legendary and remembered by all.

Sleepovers were the highlight of our lives together.  And getting a Carson Pirie Scott or Sears or Montgomery Ward Christmas magazine that we could circle anything we wanted for our Christmas list.  Margie would make sure to make your wish come true.  She even took a seasonal job at Carson Pirie Scott so she could get the employee discount on all the family’s Christmas gifts.

Marjorie always had a lot of questions.  She enjoyed staying connected to her friends and family and what was important to them in their individual lives.  Margie was never satisfied with a general response. She would dig and ask questions until she was finally satisfied with the response.  One could never expect a conversation to be over unless Marge received the information she wanted.

Marge was a devoted Catholic and kept everyone in her prayers always.  She found much relief to her “anxious side” by going to church and connecting spirtually.   Additionally, she would relax by watching the Hallmark Channel J and Dancing with the Stars (we all knew not to call that night).  She also loved shopping with family at her favorite stores like Carsons, Macy’s and Kohls. 

Marge and Norm traveled about 150,000 miles on motorcycle trips, many while pulling a trailer behind the bike to haul things they would buy along the way. There’s a famous story about a case of wine that Marge bought (and Norm had to find a way to make it fit.)  There’s another story of when unbeknownst to Norm, Marge had louder pipes installed on the bike during a trip.  All in all they rode to 38 of the United States with a great group of friends.  Marge loved riding on the back of the bike, feeling the air and seeing the country all while reading a romance novel.

Marge was also very active in the Red Hat Society in Carillon of Plainfield.  She enjoyed all the activities and events associated with the club and enjoyed the relationships she developed with her neighbors.  She very much enjoyed being a part of the Carillon community.

Family and Friends are invited to join for Visitation  Thursday, June 1, 2023 from 3:00-8:00 pm at Beidelman-Kunsch Funeral Homes and Crematory, 516 S. Washington St., Naperville.  Funeral will begin at the funeral home Friday, June 2, 2023 at 9:00 am and proceed to St. Andrew the Apostle Catholic Church, 505 Kingston Dr., Romeoville for Mass at 10:00 am.

In lieu of flowers and in loving memory of Margie, memorials may be made to St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital at www.StJude.org.  

Margie’s family invites you to visit the “Condolences” and “Photos” tabs of this memorial to leave a message or memory or to upload a photograph.

To send flowers to the family or plant a tree in memory of Marjorie Rose (Steininger) Strauel, please visit our floral store.