ANDREW ROBERT CARL-STRUENSEE

ANDREW ROBERT CARL-STRUENSEE

     Andrew took the greatest train ride of his life on April 27, 2024. Destination Heaven...straight into the arms of our Lord. Full speed ahead yelling, “All Aboard” and sounding the whistle. 

     Andrew was born Oct. 17, 2002. During his life, he faced many health challenges, but he was always brave and fearless. He developed a feisty, bubbly, loud, infectious, sometimes cranky but always loving personality. You could not help but love him if you met him. His absolute favorite things to tell everyone was “no thank you” and “goodbye.” He loved to see everyone on his terms! 

     Andrew developed a love of trains very early in life and his entire life centered around them. He loved to go UTV riding with Tim, insisting on a very fast takeoff, counting down, “3-2-1 blast off!” “Here we go!” When arriving in Neillsville, he had to honk the horn to let everyone know he arrived cruising through like he was in a parade. One place he loved was the gravel pits outside town because he said it was the “Blue Mountain Quarry” a favorite from his Thomas the Tank books. In 2020, Andrew’s Make-A-Wish trip was in Keystone, SD, riding on an 1880 train. Such happy memories. And on many warm days each summer, he loved swinging as high as possible outside laughing his little butt off!!!

     Andrew loved his family deeply. He and his mama were inseparable; so incredibly devoted to each other. Even in his last days, Andrew comforted his mama in her grief. Hugging and rubbing her head in love. On his last day with Mama, she played his favorite songs, and he bopped his head along just like always, reading his favorite book and watching Toy Story. 

     He loved his siblings, Justin, Zachary and Brookelyn; and sister-in-law Abby; he always had to get a hug from her. He could never have enough hugs from Brookeyn, and he loved to have her wait on him, often asking her to please get his ice water. He could be a little bossy. Everyone gave up their birthday cake candles to Andrew, letting him blow them out first, leaving us with a little bit of a spit cake but that was alright. Andrew also loved his nieces and nephews, Ella, Ava, Oakley, Zaylee and Huxley., although he didn’t always show it and squeezing in the occasional “I love you” and a hug. But he loved them the most when they were leaving. Andrew was a bit of a sheister meister with them. 

     Andrew attended Neillsville School all his life until graduating in 2021 and 2022. Yes, twice. During his school years, he was blessed with so much love from staff who became like family. 

     Andrew is survived by his parents, Bobbie and Tim Struensee; sister Brookelyn Struensee (at home) of Granton; brothers Justin (Abby) Opelt and their children Ella and Ava Opelt of Greenwood, Zachary (Kaylee Berry) and children Oakley, Zaylee and Huxley Opelt, and Joel Hutchinson (mama-Kaylee) of Neillsville; grandmas Mary Carlson and Erdine Payne; aunties Tina Galetka, Linda Holzl, Kathy Hagen and Bonnie Carl; and uncle Shane Nystrom, and all their children.   

     Andrew was preceded in death by grandpa Kerry Carson, great-grandma Noreen Mchone, uncle Clarence McHone and grandma Florence Carl. 

     Andrew has been cared for by Compassus Hospice and Andrew’s nurse Amy Flagel for the past four years We will forever be family because of the love for Andrew that brought us together. As Andrew would say “Don’t hit Amy!” He loved her dearly. We all do. 

     A service for Andrew will be held May 4, 2024. Visitation will be from 9 to 11 a.m. and the service will begin at 11 a.m. at Gesche Funeral home. Pastor Joe Weier will officiate. A celebration of his life will follow at the Neillsville Legion. Lunch will be provided. All are welcome to attend, share stories and feel the love. Andrews favorite color is blue, so, if you can, wear blue to honor him.  

     Gesche Funeral Home is assisting with cremation services. Justin and Zachary Opelt, Brookelyn Struensee and Jason Kurth will be honorary urn carriers. 

     Any monetary donations made to the family will be used to establish a scholarship fund in his name for students continuing education in the field of special education teaching.