Leila Mae Stroeh

Leila “Lee” Mae (Yoder) Stroeh, 95 of La Crosse passed away Saturday, January 6, 2017 at the Mayo Clinic Hospice. She was born January 1, 1923 to Cornelius H. and Eugena (Testroet) Yoder. Leila received her Normal training at Wellman, Iowa High School. She taught school for 5 years in Surprise Valley-Wellman, Iowa and Dutch Creek Center, Dublin, Iowa.

Leila married Earl “Bob” Leonard Stroeh on July 13, 1946 and he preceded her in death on December 12, 1982. The family operated B&K Root Beer Stand for 20 years at the 1300 block of Losey Blvd. in La Crosse. Leila was noted for her homemade barbecues. Leila and Earl also owned the commercial property at State Road and Losey Blvd since 1947 with tenants such as; Shell Oil Co., Mickey Mantle Billiard Hall, Johnson’s Children’s Wear, Good Time Charlies, Singapore Gardens, Tokyo Gardens, Premier Video and presently, Java Vino. They also had tenants such as, Mcky Ellis Realty, First Financial Bank, Dr. Foss Vision Center and presently, Advance America.

Leila was an avid doll collector and had approximately 500 dolls. Her favorite were the Betsy McCall dolls. She also enjoyed traveling and playing bingo.

Leila is survived by two daughters; Carol Ann Stroeh and her partner Gary L. Stephans of St. Paul, MN, and Cheryl Leah (Robert) Krabill of La Crosse; a sister Margaret Brogla of Coralville, IA and many nieces and nephews.

In addition to her husband Earl, she was preceded in death by her parents; sisters, Bernice, Wilma, Doris, Dessel, Glennis and Janice; brothers, Marvin and Donald and a sister-in -law, Gertrude Strong.

Funeral services will be held at 1:00 p.m. Thursday, January 11 ^th at the Schumacher-Kish Funeral and Cremation Services, 200 West Avenue South, La Crosse with Rev. Robert Cook officiating. Burial will follow in Catholic Cemetery. Visitation will be held at the funeral home on Thursday from 11:30 a.m. until the time of services.