April Lynn Struemke, age 56, passed away Saturday, Sept. 12, 2026, at her home in Osceola, Wisconsin, after winning a nearly yearlong battle with AML Leukemia. The cancer may have taken her body but never once took her soul. She chose her end with dignity and grace while being supported by her friends, family, and community the whole time.
April was born on April 6, 1970, in Blaine, Minnesota; her parents were Kenneth and Violet (Gladistch) Bierl. She graduated from Hudson High School and quickly found her passion in the healthcare field. On April 24, 1993, she was united in marriage to her husband Brad in Stillwater, Minnesota.
From becoming a CNA to then an RN and finally getting her BSN, she accomplished all of that while raising and growing her loving family. She was amazing at all of that and then eventually found her passion for rescuing dogs. She had the love and compassion to care for her four-legged family, especially as they found their way to her home for fostering through Coco’s Heart Dog Rescue. Also, later in life she found and came to love her “Happy Place” with her dear friends Lisa and Terry in their Alabama home near the Gulf Shores. April would always glow when she was going there and when she came home. Thank you, Lisa and Terry, for giving her those moments and memories. Her wishes are to have her ashes spread at sea so she can be free and forever enjoying the sunsets it offered her when she was there.
April will always be remembered by her husband of 33 years, Brad; mother, Violet Bierl; children, Dan, Cody and Hunter Struemke; grandson, Edwin Struemke, along with Edwin’s mother, Bridget Cleven; brother, Todd (Carly) Bierl; as well as many nieces, nephews, and other extended family and friends.
She was preceded in death by her father, Kenneth Bierl; brother, Paul Bierl; grandparents, Edward and Lucy Bierl and Wallace and Harriet Gladitsch; and uncle, William Gladitsch.
A special thanks is being sent to all of the wonderful supporters who have helped her and her family through this whole journey. We honestly couldn’t have done it without all the love, prayers and financial support. Thank you so very much! April asked me to make sure I said that, and I, myself, am so humbled by everyone’s generosity, we are truly blessed.
A celebration of April’s life will be held from 5 to 8 p.m. on Thursday, Sept. 24, 2026, at Grandstrand Funeral Home of Osceola. The celebration is to be a “beach theme” in honor of April and her happy place. Please feel free to wear your favorite beach shirt and smile for her.
In lieu of flowers or memorials, April had asked for anyone that would like to please donate to Coco’s Heart Dog Rescue in Somerset, Wisconsin, or consider becoming a volunteer to help her beloved four-legged friends. Information can be found at cocosheartdogrescue.org/donate.
Services have been entrusted to the Grandstrand Funeral Home of Osceola. Condolences may be expressed online at grandstrandfh.com.
