Kathryn Micka Strebbing

Kathryn Micka Strebbing, age 87 of Oronoco, passed away on Sunday January 30, 2011.
A celebration of her life will be held at Madonna Towers in Rochester on Saturday, February 5 beginning with a viewing in the chapel at 10 am, funeral mass at 11 am, and noon luncheon. Interment will be at St. Michaels Cemetery in Pine Island in the spring.
Catherine Lucille Kientz was born September 1, 1932 in DeKalb Illinois. She was the youngest of four daughters born to Joseph and Frances (Sullivan) Kientz and known by family and friends as "Kaki". Kathryn graduated from DeKalb Township High School in 1941. She married William F. Micka II (Bill) on November 26, 1942. The couple soon moved to Washington, D.C. where Bill served in the Navy and Kathryn worked as a secretary for Nelson Rockefeller in the Roosevelt administration. Their first son, William F. Micka III, was born in 1944. The family moved to Beloit, Wisconsin in 1946 where Bill continued his career with IBM, and sons Daniel J. and Thomas F. were born. They moved to Endicott, New York in 1949 where Amy Jo was born. In 1956, Kathryn and Bill moved their family to Rochester to be nearer family, and for Bill to be part of the small group that started up IBM's Rochester facilities. Sons Paul L. and John A. were born in Rochester. Having been raised on a farm, Kathryn found 120 acres near Oronoco, and the family moved to "Century Farm" in 1962, 100 years after the homestead at what is now County 12 and 50th Avenue was settled. Kathryn's husband Bill passed away in 1977.
Kathryn enjoyed gardening, horses, trail riding, farming, antiquing, baking, golf, bowling, crafts and supporting her sons' sports. She was a Master Gardener, an active member of the Rochester Garden Club, and played bridge with a group of Rochester neighbors for more than four decades. She served on the Olmsted County Park Board, and contributed time and talent to parish service groups at St. Pius (Rochester) and St. Michael's (Pine Island).
On January 2, 1981, Kathryn married Raymond (Ray) Strebbing. Together they traveled to all 50 states, several countries in Europe and Australia and New Zealand. They enjoyed square dancing and staying in touch with friends from their travels. Kathryn attended high school gatherings up to the 65th reunion of the Class of 1941.
Kathryn is survived by her husband Ray; her six children and their spouses: William and Ann Micka of Tucson Arizona, Daniel Micka of Colleyville Texas, Thomas and Sheila Micka of Anoka Minnesota, Amy and Michael LeGere of Flagstaff Arizona, Paul and Britta Micka of Feichten Germany, and John and Kathy Micka of Belleville Wisconsin; twelve grandchildren; six great-grandchildren; brother-in-law Jerome Micka and his wife Florence; 18 nieces and nephews; four step-children, and seven step-grandchildren.
Her children's families are - William: Rachael and Rich Cardenas, Emily and Andrew; Charles and Tracy Micka, Merrina. Daniel: Ana and Ben Lilliston, Chloe; Allie and Jer Davis. Thomas: Katherine and Jared Ellis, Elizabeth and Chris Mouw, Joseph Micka. Amy: Zach Wegner, Ryan Wegner. Paul: Paul William Micka. John: Samuel Micka, Jackson Micka. Her step-children's families are: James Strebbing; Sherri Royal, Ian and Adam; Karen and Ralph Clark, Rachael and Heather; and David and Shirley Strebbing, David Jr., Shawn and Peter.
Kathryn was preceded in death by her parents Joseph and Frances Kientz; her husband Bill Micka; her sisters and their husbands Helen and Leonard Skoglund of Rochelle Illinois, Mary Lou and Joseph Rockenbach of Rochester Minnesota, and Elizabeth and Fred Frohbose of Miami Florida; and two nephews.
The family suggests memorial donations be made to Quarry Hill Nature Center, 701 Silver Creek Road NE, Rochester, Minnesota 55906. Please indicate that the donation is in memory of Kathryn Kientz Micka Strebbing. These donations will extend a memorial created by Kathryn nearly 30 years ago, which included her donation of landscape boulders from Century Farm for the Nature Center's entrance.