AMELIA “MEMA” (PIPER) STROENING

Amelia “Mema” (Piper) Stroening gravestone
(Photo by Vernon B. Paddock)

B. August 8, 1873 in Aachen, Germany
D. July 13, 1951 in Round Lake Park, Lake County, IL
Find A Grave memorial (click here)

  • Father: Frederick Piper
  • Mother: Emma (Steuger) Piper
  • Husband: Oscar Henry Stroening born February 4, 1874 in Germany, son of Bernhardt Stroening and Johanna (Kries) Stroening; married about 1896; Oscar died July 23, 1921 in Chicago, Cook County, IL; buried in Mt. Carmel Cemetery
  • Children:
    1. Paul Oscar Stroening born July 28, 1897 in Toulon, France; married Marjorie E. Bradford (1921-2012), daughter of Clyde R. Bradford (1885-1952) and Zelphia Fern (Bigham) Bradford (1900-1924); Paul died September 20, 1986 in Minocqua, Oneida County, WI; Paul and Marjorie are buried in Sunset Memorial Gardens, Arbor Vitae, Vilas County, WI

According to the Chicago Tribune (Chicago IL) Tuesday, September 23, 1986, page 29:

“STROENING
Paul O. Stroening, age 89, of Woodruff, WI died Saturday at his home; born July 28, 1897 in France.  Married to Marjorie E. Bradford; other survivors include two sons, Richard (Joan), Paul Stroening Jr.; daughter-in-law Joan  Stroening; seven grandchildren; ten great-grandchildren.  Had been the President of Children’s Apparel Market for many years.  He was 30 years representing children’s and infant’s wear manufacturers and for 20 years had his office in the Merchandise Mart.  Funeral services were Monday at Bolger Funeral Home, Pastor Harold F. Winter.  Burial Sunset Memorial Gardens.”

Additional Information:

According to the 1910 U.S. Census for LaCrosse City, LaCrosse County, WI living at 303 S. Third St., the household members were: (28 residents as mostly roomers/boarders including the Stroenings’):

“Oscar H. Stroening, roomer, age 36, married once for 14 years, born in Germany, parents born in Germany, immigrated 1893, occupation: macaical (sic) engineer – machinery; Amalie Stroening, roomer, age 36, married once for 14 years, 1 child born, 1 child living, born in Germany, parents born in Germany; Paul Stroening, roomer, age 12, single, born in France.”

According to Michigan Passenger and Crew Lists, 1903-1965, file card for Port Huron, Mich. dated: May 11, 1913:

“Family Name: STROENING; Given name: AMELIA; Place of birth: Aachen, Germany; Age: 39; Sex: F; M. S.: married; Occupation: none; Race: German; Nationality: Germany; Last permanent residence: Toronto, Canada; Name and address of nearest relative or friend in country whence alien came: Brother, Carl Peter (sic), Aachen, Germany; Ever in U.S.: yes; From: 1903; To: Jan 1912; Where: Chicago, Ill.; Passage paid by: Husband; Destination and name and address of relative or friend to join there: Husband, Oscar Stroening, Hotel Bismark, Chicago, Ill.; Height: 5′ 7″; Complexion: Med. F.; Hair: L. Brown; Eyes: Blue; Seaport and date of landing and name of steamship: N.Y. Feb, 1903; S.S. Gresse Kurfuerst, 2nd cabin.”

According to the U.S., Border Crossings from Canada to U.S., 1895-1960; Arrival Date: 24 May 1913; Port of Arrival: Port Huron, Michigan, USA:

“Name in Full., Family Name: Stroening; Name in Full., Given Name: Amelia; Age. Yrs.: 39; Age. Mos.: n/a; Sex: M; Married or Single: M; Calling or Occupation: none; Able to Read.: Yes; Able to Write: Yes; Nationality: Germany; Race or People: German; Last Permanent Residence, County, City or Town: Canada, Toronto; Name and Address of nearest relative or friend in country whence alien came: Bro. Carl Piper, Aachen, Germany; Final Destination, State: Ill.; Final Destination, City or Town.: Chicago (NOTE: accompanying Amelia was her son, Paul Stroening, age 15)

According to the Chicago Tribune (Chicago IL) Monday, October 30, 1916, page 6:

BEER APPARATUS AGENT TAKEN ON WIFE’S CHARGE.

   “Oscar Stroening, western manager for the Pfaudler company, a beer tank manufacturing concern, was arrested on a warrant yesterday.  His wife, Amelia, who lives at 1614 Wallen avenue, Rogers Park, charges him with nonsupport.
   “He became infactuated with another woman, who is separated from her husband.”  Mrs. Stroening told the police, it is said.  “This woman was an acquaintance of the family.  My husband left me three months ago.  This woman doesn’t love him.  Three weeks ago he came back and borrowed $70 from me so that he could take this woman to see a city series baseball game.”
   Stroening denied being enamored of another woman, attributing his arrest to domestic differences.”

According to the U.S., World War I Drafter Registration Cards, 1917-1918:

“Name: Oscar Henry Stroening; Permanent Home Address: 1634 Arthur Ave, 1st apt., Chicago, Cook County, Illinois; Age in Years: 44, Date of Birth: February 14, 1874; Race: White; Alien: Declared; If not a citizen of the U.S., of what nation are you a citizen or subject?: Germany; Present Occupation: Mechanical Engineer; Employer’s Name: Weller Mfg. Co.; Place of Employment: 1856 No. Kostner Ave; Nearest Relative: Wife Amalia; Address: 1634 Arthur Ave, Chicago, Cook County, Illinois; Height: Tall; Build: Medium; Color of eyes: Brown; Color of hair: Brown; Signed: Sept 12th 1918”

According to the 1920 U.S. Census for Chicago, Cook County, IL living at 5650 Ashland Ave, the household members were:

“Oscar Stroening, head, age 46, married, immigrated 1903, born in Germany, parents born in Germany, occupation: draftsman – machinery; Amelia Stroening, wife, age 46, married, immigrated in 1904, born in Germany, parents born in Germany; Paul Stroening, son, age 23, single, immigrated in 1904, born in France, occupation: conv traveler – merchandise”

According to the 1940 U.S. Census for Avon Township, Lake County, IL living in Round Lake Subdivision, the household members were:

“Paul Stroening, head, age 42, married, highest grade completed: 7, born in France, lived in same place in 1935, occupation: wholesale salesman – building material; Marie Stroening, wife, age 38, married, highest grade completed: H2, born in Chicago, lived in same house in 1935; Paul Stroening, Jr., son, age 13, single, highest grade completed: 7, born in Illinois, lived in same house in 1935; Robert Stroening, son, age 10, single, born in Illinois, lived in same house in 1935; Richard Stroening, son, age 5/12, single, born in Illinois; Amelia Stroening, mother, age 67, widowed, highest grade completed: 8, born in Germany, lived in same house in 1935.”

According to the 1950 U.S. Census for Round Lake Park Village, Avon Township, Lake County, IL living on Briar Hill Drive, the household members were:

“Paul Stroening, head, age 51, married, born in Illinois, Occupation: Salesman – Children wear, Was he living in this same house a year ago?: Yes, What country were his father and mother born in?: Germany, What is the highest grade of school that he has attended? S8, Did he finish this grade?: Yes, Last year, in how many weeks did this person do any work at all?: None, Last year (1949) how much money did he earn as an employee for wages or salary?: $5,000, Last year (1949) how much money did his relatives in this household earn working for wages or salary?: $1,500, Did he ever serve in the U.S. Armed Forces during – WWII?: No, WWI?: No, Any other time, including present service?: No; Marie Stroening, wife, age 49, married, born in Illinois; Paul Stroening Jr, son,age 23, never married, born in Illinois, Salesman – Children wear; Robert Stroening, son, age 20, never married, born in Illinois, Occupation: Laborer – Housing; Richard Stroening, son, age 10, never married, born in Illinois; Ameila (sic) Stroening, mother, age 75, widowed, born in Germany, Was he living in this same house a year ago?: Yes, What country were his father and mother born in?: Germany, What is the highest grade of school that he has attended? S8, Did he finish this grade?: Yes”

According to the Chicago Tribune (Chicago IL) Monday, July 16, 1951, page 40:

“STROENING – Amelia Stroening, age 77, of Round Lake Park, Ill., July 13, 1951, fond mother of Paul O., grandmother of Paul, Robert, and Richard.  Services Tuesday, 2 p.m., Strang chapel, Grayslake, Ill. Interment Fort Hill.”

According to the Lake County Illinois Genealogical Society. “Strang Funeral Home – Grayslake, Illinois – 1908-1964”. Mundelein IL. 2015:

“Surname: STROENING; Name: Amelia; Birth Date/Place; 08 Aug 1873, Aachen, GER; Death Date/Place: 13 Jul 1951, Round Lake Park; Cause of Death: Cirrhosis of Liver; Wid; Occupation: (blank); Minister – Funeral Home: (blank); Burial Place-Next of Kin: Fort Hill, Frederick PIPER (GER)-Father, Emma STEUGER (GER)-Mother”