At 99 years old, Mary Anne White Stroebe passed away June 11, 2017. She and her twin sister Bette Anne were born May 13, 1918 to parents Irvin and Ilda (Cass) White in Battle Creek, Mich. After spending her youth in Antigo, Wis., Mary graduated high school in Appleton, Wis. She went on to earn a degree in education and was a proud member of the class of 1940 at Lawrence University. She was a Phi Theta Kappa and competed on the university’s volleyball, floor hockey and golf teams. She then completed graduate school at Simmons College in Boston, Mass.
Mary enlisted in the U.S. Navy WAVES as First Officer and was stationed in Seattle as a decoder during WWII.
After the war, Mary reconnected with her dear high school friend and senior prom date, Harry Stroebe Jr. They were married Oct 3, 1948, and moved to Madison, Wis., where she was a physical education substitute teacher. The Stroebes raised two sons, Bruce and Mark, teaching them to fish, hunt, hike, water ski, snow ski and golf. They even had their own Stroebe Ski Hill with a rope tow at a nearby farm.
Mary and Harry took ski lessons from Stein Erickson, known as “the father of skiing,” in 1962, and were USSA ski instructor certified. They both worked at Tyrol Basin and Devil’s Head ski areas in Wisconsin.
Mary delivered Meals on Wheels until age 92, traveled to 46 countries, was an avid bridge player, enjoyed crossword puzzles and word games, as well as a big fan of Jeopardy . She was the founding member of United Church of Christ in Orchard Ridge, Wis. And was a committed volunteer each election at the local voting booth.
She loved her time at their cabin on Lily Bass lake in Northern Wisconsin and practicing for triathlons. Mary began participating in triathlons at age 77, and competed until she was 90. She continued to support Lifetime Fitness triathlon events and was recognized each year as the oldest participant. A documentary of her triathlon participation was produced in 1990 (maryandbillfilm.com ).
At 92, she was the oldest person to purchase a car at the Madison Toyota dealership.
Mary was a breast cancer survivor. She broke her leg skiing Squaw Valley and had a metal rod implanted when she was 88.
Mary appeared twice on the Regis and Kelly Show in New York as the featured “Octogenarian.” Her first episode included an entertaining triathlon competition with Kelly in Central Park. The second was to receive the coveted “Relly Award” which she displayed with honor.
Mary was an incredible role model. She was dedicated to living a healthy, strong, meaningful life. And she had an unprecedented amount of determination. Her drive and motivation is something appreciated by every person lucky enough to know her.
Preceded in death by her parents, twin sister Bette Jones and husband Harry Stroebe Jr.
Survived by sons Bruce Stroebe (Jane Crosson) and Mark Stroebe.
Granddaughters Heidi Bethel (Masten), Geneva Farrell (Robby), Brittani Cottrill (Randy) and great-grandchildren, Rowan Bethel; Kara, Shelby Rose, and Steven Farrell; Hailee and Trace Cottrill; four nieces and five nephews.
Mary’s family sends a heartfelt Thank you to the staff and residents of McKenna Crossing for their care, comfort, support and sense of family that made Mary feel like a part of the community.
Memorial service to be announced later this summer.
