Walter Strohmaier, 71, a lifelong resident of Elgin who owned one of the older standing auto repair shops in the city, died of stomach cancer on Saturday, Jan. 18. Mr. Strohmaier graduated from Elgin High School in 1949. He served in the Marine Corps and was stationed in California as a mechanic at the time of the Korean War. Mr. Strohmaier worked with his father at Emil’s Garage, which was built in the mid-1930s. He took over the business in 1969. With his wife, Gloria, Mr. Strohmaier ran the business until 1997. “We sold it when we retired, and it’s still in business,” she said. Mr. Strohmaier was a longtime member of American Legion Post 57 of Elgin and held several high posts there. Other survivors include two daughters, Karen Fricke and Barbara Solberg; three sons, Lawrence, Ronald and Mike; and 15 grandchildren. Services will be held at noon Wednesday in Laird Funeral Home, 310 S. State St., Elgin.
