Oskar Strobel, 86, of Sioux Falls, SD, formerly of Kenosha, WI, died on Monday, February 16, 2026. Oskar was born on February 20, 1939, to Gottlieb and Rosalie (Eisenbraun) Strobel in Eupatoria, Crimea, Russia. At the age of two, Oskar’s family was forced out of Crimea under political duress during World War II. After a time, they were relocated to a displaced persons camp in Poland, eventually walking from Poland to Warmenau, Germany. Once settled in Germany, Oskar attended primary school in a one-room schoolhouse. In 1952, the family immigrated to the United States, settling in Wall, SD.
Oskar graduated from Wall (SD) High School in 1960 and received a Bachelor of Science degree from Northern State Teachers’ College in Aberdeen, SD, in 1965. In 1979, he was conferred a Master of Education degree from the University of Wisconsin-Whitewater. On June 17, 1972, Oskar married Fay Schermetzler in Kenosha, WI. The couple had a son and a daughter. They made Kenosha their home for over 50 years. Oskar taught high school mathematics for 33 years, most of those at Bradford High School. Oskar retired in 2001 and was an avid Chicago sports fan: Blackhawks, Bulls, White Sox, and, of course, da Bears!
Oskar is survived by his wife, Fay; his daughter, Laura (Matthew) Loos of Winona, MN; his son, Mark of Sioux Falls, SD; and his grandchildren, Ian Loos, Collin Strobel, Jared Loos, and Katrina Loos. Oskar is also survived by a brother, Alfred, of Sundance, WY, as well as nieces and nephews Dean (Sandy) Hedeker, Donald (Vera) Hedeker, Heidi Hedeker, Zane Strobel and Julie (Viktor) Strayer. Oskar is preceded in death by his parents, his sister, Lena (Daniel) Hedeker, and two brothers, Leo and his infant twin, Edgar.
Celebration of Life will be held February 28, 2026 at 11:00 am CT in the Halladay-Peterson Chapel at Dow Rummel Village in Sioux Falls, SD, with livestream via Facebook Live at http://www.facebook.com/share/1BvCz5cFQS/?mibextid=wwXIfr.
Interment of cremains will be performed at a later date and location to be determined.
In lieu of flowers, the family has suggested donations may be made in memory of Oskar Strobel to the Alzheimer's Association of South Dakota, 5195 S. Remington Place, Suite 110, Sioux Falls, SD 57108 (https://www.alz.org/sd).