Mark S. Strosahl

Mark S. Strosahl, 73, of Hazelhurst passed away at Pinecrest Nursing Home in Merrill, WI due to complications of Parkinson’s Disease on June 19,2021. Mark was born on August 2, 1947 in Milwaukee, WI. The son of Reverend Stan and Phyllis (Hinke) Strosahl. Mark graduated from Riverside High School in Milwaukee. Attended Cornell College and graduated from UW-Milwaukee with a degree in Psychology.
Mark began his career as a Vocational Counselor at JVS in Milwaukee. He counseled and developed training sites for Veterans returning from Vietnam.
Leaving Milwaukee, he became the Alcohol and other Drug Abuse (AODA) Coordinator for Oconto County and directed a sheltered workshop for county residents with disabilities.
After Oconto County, Mark became the AODA Coordinator at the Human Service Center for Oneida, Vilas and Forest counties in Rhinelander. He was instrumental in the development of Koinonia, a Residential Treatment Center for those recovering after AODA treatment. Koinonia also provide treatment to the Native American communities in the three counties and the Hearing-impaired needing residential AODA treatment. He wrote numerous grants to help with the counties’ needs for funding.
During his career, he was a member of the Wisconsin Association on Alcohol and other Drug Abuse, Inc.; the National Association on Alcohol, Drugs and Disability; the North Central Area Health Planning Association, just to name a few. Mark received the Rich Kenney Award for outstanding support of Lakeland Council’s efforts in reducing alcohol and other drug abuse in Oneida, Vilas and Forest counties. He became the Executive Director of the Human Service Center for Oneida, Vilas and Forest counties, a position he held until his retirement in 2003. After retirement, he did counseling and grant writing for other counties and agencies. He was a member of the NATH board of directors after his retirement also.
He married Barbara (Lutz) April 1970. They had known each other in High School and dated throughout college. They were married 51 years. He is survived by his sons Craig Mares (Amy Semling), Hastings, Minn.; Sean (Crystal Bullion) Strosahl, Neenah, WI.; Heidi Strosahl, Rhinelander, WI. and grandchildren Sydney Mares, Ty Mares, Aubrey Strosahl and Joslynn Strosahl. He also is survived by siblings Sally Strosahl (Tom Johnson), Aurora, IL; Polly Strosahl (Jim Kellerman), Green Bay, WI; Phil Strosahl, Menomonee Falls, WI and Amanda Strosahl (Jack Udell) La Crosse, WI. He is also survived by numerous cousins, nieces, nephews and friends.
Mark enjoyed being outdoors X-country skiing, biking, walking, camping, kayaking and boating. He also enjoyed tinkering in the garage on his little ‘red convertible(s)’ which he enjoyed driving around in the Northwoods.
A Celebration of Life will take place on Sunday, August 1st from noon to 3pm at Nimsgern Funeral Home in Woodruff, with a time of remembrance at 1:30 pm. In lieu of flowers, memorial donations can be made to the family to be disbursed to the numerous charitable organizations that Mark supported.
Online condolences may be shared at www.nimsgernfuneral.com
Nimsgern funeral and Cremation Services is serving the family.