Phyllis Anna Strege went to be with the Lord on 09/18/24. She was a loving wife, mother, grandmother and great grandmother. A celebration of life will be held at Praise Lutheran Church on Thursday September 26, 2024 at 11 AM arrangement made by Miller Funeral Home.

In Loving Memory...

Phyllis Anna (Steinke) Strege, age 90 of Maryville, TN made her journey to the gates of heaven above on 09/18/2024. Phyllis was a beloved matriarch of her family for many generations. She was born in Clintonville, WI, on 06/27/1934, towards the end of the Great Depression to the businessman/entrepreneur, Carl Steinke, (father), and Elsie Redeker Steinke.(mother). Phyllis had 2 sisters, Irene Piel, Delores (Lori) Dworak and one brother, Arwin Steinke. She grew up in the German town of Baileys Harbor in the upper peninsula of Door County, Wisconsin/Lake Michigan area. She married the love of her life, Emery Albert Reinhold Strege in Baileys Harbor, Wisconsin on October 3rd, 1953. They met at a local club/restaurant she worked at and her brother Arwin managed. The post military marriage spanned over 67 wonderful years. Phyllis was very grateful to have celebrated their Blue Sapphire Anniversary (65 years) together. Phyllis was very involved with her children and grandchildren to whom the grandchildren referred to as "Oma" (German for grandmother). Phyllis was loved by them all.

Phyllis was often found in the kitchen busily cooking and baking all her favorite dishes for the family which includes many Thanksgiving, Christmas, and Easter holiday feasts. "Phyl", as Emery called her, was particularly known for such dishes as her famous cream cheese/Tort dessert, mini M&M topped pan/sheet cakes, granola bars, and low sugar cookies that were sure to never disappoint. Phyllis and "Em", her nickname for Emery, had pursued multiple career avenues. They started out on family farms/dairies, onward to working at an Allis-Chalmers Plant in Milwaukee, WI. She then became a mother of 6 children and fulltime wife in Sheboygan, WI for over 20 years. Seeking a warmer climate, they settled in Powell, Tn in 1976. They later settled in the German town of New Braunfels, TX, around 1989. They spent 20 years of their lives with her children and grandchildren there. In 2009, they made their final move to Maryville, TN near the Great Smoky Mountains surrounded by family. Phyllis was always affiliated with the

Missouri Synod Lutheran Churches. Phyllis and her family became members of the Praise Lutheran Church in Maryville, TN. Phyllis loved spending time with her family, family picnics, watching the Lawrence Welk Show and spending a girls day out shopping. Sharon and Cathy (children) and especially Katelyn (granddaughter) reminisce about hearing the "click clack" sound of her favorite "Hollander shoes" made by Dr. Scholls she wore while shopping. To this day, familiar smells of the original Blue Dawn soap and empty soap boxes trigger wonderful memories of Oma for Brandon (grandson). Phyllis loved sharing that she was the best cherry picker in Door County, WI during her high school years.

Phyllis is preceded in death by her parents, Carl and Elsie (Redeker) Steinke, beloved brother Arwin Steinke, husband, Emery Strege, the love of her life, and sister Irene (Steinke) Piel, niece Barbie Sinkula, son-in-law Gary Lindsey. Phyllis is survived by her six children and their spouses: Pam and Ron Williams, Gregory Strege, Cindy and David Harmon, Brian and Anna Strege of Tn, Cathy Lindsey and Sharon and Kenneth Pape of South-Central, TX. Nephews: LeRoy and Bobby Steinke of Deep South, TX. Niece and spouse: Linda and Stephen Bauknecht of Indiana. Grandchildren and spouses: Marie and David Sentner and Carson Harmon of FL/TN, Carl Deruyter, Katelyn and Bronson Selman, Brandon, Hannah, Summer Pape of Tx, Travis and Taylor Williams of TN/VA. Great grandchildren: Sophia, Kolson, Knox, Hudson, Maclan, Landon, Preston, and Skylar. Great nieces and nephews.

Flowers and/or donations may be made to Praise Lutheran Church, 315 Southdown Dr.

Maryville, TN 37801. A private family service will be held at Praise Lutheran Church. Arrangements are with Miller Funeral home in Maryville, TN.