Doris Strook

Doris “Dorie” Jean Strook, 74, of Ladoga, went to be with Jesus on Friday, Aug. 25, passing away peacefully at home with family by her side.

Dorie’s passion was for people and her life mission was to care for others. In the last seven weeks of her life, her family was able to return the blessing and care for her as she experienced the side effects of multiple strokes and blood clots.

Dorie was born on October 8, 1942, in Fond du Lac, the daughter of Sylvester & Dorothy (Burns) Hoch. She was the beloved sister to Mary and Jack. Growing up she learned about Jesus’ love and grace, and her faith – instilled in her as a child – would be used for decades to inspire many others to love and serve the Lord.

She met Martin “Marty” Strook while figure skating with her cousins and she and Marty were married on December 29, 1961, in Rosendale. They welcomed three Children – Kelly, Wendy and Douglas – into this world and, in the 1970s, they opened their home to 28 foster children. “Mama Duke” was so cherished that the foster boys continued relationships with her throughout their adult lives, even driving up and flying in during her last days.

In 1991 Dorie and Marty built, opened and operated Friendship Haven – a Community Based Residential Facility in Waupun. Here Dorie was able to love on the residents needing assisted living services. She was relentless in ensuring they had fun and were taken care of – from going on pontoon boat rides and having special birthday lunches to giving Christmas gifts and doing their nails. Even though she & Marty transferred Friendship Haven’s day-to-day operations to Marvin’s Manor in 2011, Dorie continued to show up, help out and care for the residents until the time of her stroke.

Dorie made time to be the best grandma and great grandma anyone could ask for, always extending an invitation to sleep over and making sure she was there for her grandchildren and great grandchildren during life’s good, difficult, funny and scary moments. The best times were spent having grandma say a prayer for you, sitting at the kitchen counter eating her famous pancakes, or listening to her sing crazy songs trying to make her grandchildren and great grandchildren laugh.

Dorie was an active member of CrossRoads Fellowship Church – stepping in wherever needed. Throughout the years she taught Sunday School, joined the choir, hosted youth group hay rides and church picnics, and, in June 2017, started the Children’s Bible Fund ensuring that every kid at CrossRoads had their own Bible.

Dorie’s love was deep. And it was shown throughout her actions to her family, her friends, her church, her neighbors and strangers. Anyone who met Dorie was shown kindness, extended an invitation to come over for lunch, or to be prayed for.

She is survived by her husband, Marty; her children Kelly Strook, Wendy Strook, Douglas (Teresa) Strook; grandchildren: Jezay Johnson, Joshua Johnson, Kimberly (Tom) Bresser, Casey Despres (special friend Austin Koehler), Ashley Despres, Trenten Strook and Jarrod Vis. Great Grandchildren: Anthony Williams, Ryan White, Ronald Mcdaniels, Jezonie Mcdaniels, Ceara Johnson, Joshua Johnson Jr., Evoniey Johnson, Raymond Johnson, and Aldean Bresser; Brother-in-law Melvin Sprague; Debbie (Mike) Schmalzer, Tami Owens, Tom (Holly) Hoch; Darold (Charlene) Strook, Marlene (Raymond) Keller, Richard Strook, Rosie (Mike) Scharschmidt, Robert Strook, Lyle (Kathy) Strook and Barb Strook; nieces, nephews, cousins, her extended Friendship Haven family, and, of course, her chihuahua, Domita, and her great grand-dog, Beans.

Greeting Dorie in heaven are her parents, Sylvester & Dorothy Hoch; son lost during pregnancy, Special Uncle Chester Hoch, sister Mary Sprague, brother Jack Hoch, and nephew Timothy Hoch. As well as her brothers-in-law: David Strook, Donald Strook, Dale Strook, and sister-in-law Doris Strook.

We will forever miss Dorie’s gorgeous big, blue eyes and her desire to care for others but we will honor her memory by living the way she showed us how to: spreading kindness to others, praying without ceasing, and serving the Lord.

Romans 15:13, “May the God of Hope fill you with all joy and peace as you trust in Him, so that you may overflow with hope by the power of the Holy Spirit.”




Visitation will be held at CrossRoads Fellowship Church (846 E. Main St, Waupun) on Tuesday, Aug. 29, from 4-8 p.m., and again from 9-11 a.m. on Wednesday, Aug. 30.



Dorie’s Celebration of Life memorial service will be held at 11 a.m. on Wednesday, Aug. 30, at CrossRoads Fellowship Church.



Memorials may be made to Agnesian HealthCare’s Hospice Home of Hope or CrossRoads Fellowship’s Children’s Bible Fund.


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