Marilyn Dian Strenski, 86 of Galena, IL and formerly Chicago, IL passed away Wednesday, October 19, 2022, at Prairie Ridge of Galena. A funeral service will be held at 2 PM, Tuesday, November 1, 2022, at the Furlong Funeral Chapel, Galena where friends may call after Noon until the time of service. Burial will be held later. Cremation rites have been accorded.

She was born August 23, 1936, in Wapello/Toolesboro, IA the daughter of Harvey Raymond and Wilma (Harrison) Mckinney. Dian was raised on a dairy farm. She was active in several choral groups during high school. Dian attended Iowa’s Teacher College, Ames IA. She worked at Switchcraft, Chicago, and McMaster-Carr, Elmhurst, IL, and was a CNA at Vitas Hospice, Chicago. Dian was a Cub Scout den mother. In 1956, Dian arrived in Chicago to attend a week-long radio conference. She fell in love with the city and never left. She met her husband Stanley “Ed” Edward Strenski on a blind date, and they were married in 1958, he preceded her in death in 2000. After her husband’s passing Dian moved to Mount Prospect. Every morning by 5 AM, she was swimming and walking the stairs. She volunteered at her friend’s daycare center. Dian loved introducing children to nature and bugs. Her favorite volunteer activity was being a Chicago Saint-volunteers for the performing arts in Chicago. Dian was also involved with the Chicago Thanksgiving Day parade. She loved being in the big city. Dian was a member of the Chicago Temple, (First United Methodist Church in Chicago), for over 60 years and volunteered at their soup kitchen. After moving to Galena, in 2017, she volunteered with the Prairie Enthusiasts. Her love of nature and her family supported her in planting over 10,000 trees in Michigan’s Upper Peninsula and Galena. She loved to travel and has visited seven continents. Favorite destinations included Antarctica, Australia, Cambodia, Egypt, England, France, India, Ireland, Italy, Kenya Mexico, Mongolia, Morocco, Philippines, Poland, Scotland, Tanzania, Turkey, Wales, and several Caribbean cruises. She is survived by her four children, Edward (Karin), Anna (Vicki), Jason (Judy), and David (Paula), four grandchildren, Owen and Irene Strenski (Jared Barajas), Thearin Edward Strenski and Joni Carroll, one great-grandchild, Travis Carroll, a sister-in-law, Phyllis McKinney. She was preceded in death by her parents, her husband, and a brother, Dean McKinney. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Hospice of Dubuque in Memory of Dian. The family wishes to extend a special thank you to the staff of Prairie Ridge, Dr. Beth Gullone, and Hospice of Dubuque for the wonderful care given to Dian.