Earl Francis Stroschein passed away Monday, Nov. 2, 2015, at the age of 86, at St. Joseph Regional Medical Center in Lewiston, with his family by his side.
Earl was born July 17, 1929, in American Falls, Idaho, to Earl H. and Uva Stroschein, and was raised in Aberdeen, Idaho, with his five brothers, Ward, Lyle, Ronald, Dallas and Paul, and his sister, Regina. Earl grew up working on his family's farm. His father, Earl H., died when Earl was 14, leaving Earl at home as the oldest boy and breadwinner for the family. Earl worked tirelessly to provide for his family and put his three younger siblings through college.
On June 15, 1957, he married the love of his life, Jacquie M. Murock. The two met when Earl stopped in Lewiston to visit his brother Lyle on his way to make his fortune in Alaska. Jacquie lived across the street from Lyle and baby-sat his young children. Once Earl and Jacquie met, Earl completely forgot about moving to Alaska to strike it rich and settled down with Jacquie in Lewiston. The two built their home in the Orchards, where they would raise their four children.
Earl's first job in Lewiston was working at Potlatch Forests Inc. After the mill, he had a Blue Bell Potato Chip and Grandma's Cookie truck and delivered potato chips and cookies to stores from White Bird to Pierce. In 1969, Earl and Jacquie purchased The Orchards Shoe Shop, where they would put shoes on multiple generations of Lewiston families for 23 years. Earl was the original shoe guy.
After retiring in 1991, Earl spent time working in his wood shop, making everything from bedroom sets and sewing tables to cutting boards and wine racks for his friends and family. Earl also took great joy in working in his garden, tending his many rosebushes, perfectly manicured lawn and his vegetable garden full of tomatoes and cucumbers. Earl also loved putting jigsaw puzzles together, and would often frame the completed puzzles to hang in his home or give to family. Earl and Jacquie enjoyed traveling with their friends and grandchildren; some of his favorite trips were to Ireland, an Alaskan cruise, trips to Glacier and Yellowstone national parks, and Mount Rushmore.
Earl was a devout Catholic and loved spending time with his church family from St. James, and more recently, All Saints Catholic Church, where he was extremely involved in the parish. He enjoyed singing in the choir at the 7 a.m. Sunday Mass at St. James, with Jacquie and many close friends. Earl attended daily Mass and weekly Eucharistic adoration, where he enjoyed reading the Bible and writings of Pope Francis. Earl worked tirelessly to keep St. James running in tip-top shape at all times and contributed greatly to the building of All Saints Catholic Church.
Earl loved laughing and sharing jokes with family, friends and strangers. His smile, laughter and joy for life were contagious and will be greatly missed.
Earl is survived by his four children, Chuck Stroschein, Patti Myers (Steve), Earl T. Stroschein and Steve Stroschein; as well as his five grandchildren, Kristin and Mary Kate Myers, and Drew, Alex, and Emma Stroschein; and his brother, Paul Stroschein.
His parents; siblings Ward, Lyle, Ronald, Dallas and Regina; and wife Jacquie, preceded him in death.
The family would like to thank the wonderful intensive care unit nursing staff at St. Joseph Regional Medical Center for the extraordinary care they provided to Earl in his final days.
A rosary service will be held at 6:30 p.m. Tuesday and a Mass of Christian burial will be held at 10 a.m. Wednesday. Both services will be held at All Saints Catholic Church, 3330 14th St., Lewiston. Memorials may be made in Earl's name to St. Jude Children's Research Hospital; the Lewiston food bank; or to the Apostolic Life Community of Priests, at 2926 N. Williams Ave., Portland, OR 97227.
