Compiled and written by David R. Schleper, 2022
Antoinette Marie Ann Strehlow was born in Shakopee, Minnesota on Aug. 19, 1916. Her parents were Emil William Strehlow (1890-1946) and Lizetta Marie Vierling (1892-1954). Her siblings included William George (1913-2009), Eugene John (1922-2005), and Lorraine Marie Strehlow Mahowald (1926-2019).
Antoinette married Thomas Allen Carpenter (1910-1982). Thomas was from New York.
Antoinette and Thomas had eight children: Eva Marie, Lizetta Marie, Ellen Pauline, Catherine Mary, Thomas Eugene, Perry Jack, Lawrence Francis, and Annette Marie Carpenter. They all lived at 531 Sixth Avenue East in Shakopee.
In an article in the Shakopee Valley News on Thursday, Sept. 18, 1969, Antoinette talked about her three sons, all who were in the military during the Vietnam War. In the article, “Keeps Mom Busy Baking…Family Has 3 Sons in Service,” Antoinette talked about the big job supplying baked goods from her home to her three sons in service. But she was glad to do it. Her five daughters and daughter-in-law also helped cook the food.
The oldest son was Tom, who was 22 years old in 1969. Tom was born Jan. 26, 1947. He was the first in the armed forces. He enlisted in the Navy. He served aboard the USS Puffer submarine. USS Puffer, a Sturgeon-class nuclear attack submarine, was the second ship of the United States Navy to be named for the pufferfish, a saltwater fish with toxic spines that can inflate its body with water or air and is one of the most poisonous vertebrates in the world. Like all ships of her class in the Silent Service, USS Puffer conducted many operations that were critical to the needs of the nation. According to Antoinette, the USS Puffer operated in the Pacific Ocean, but the location was classified.
Antoinette’s son, Perry, was in the Army, and in 1969 was stationed in Korea. Perry was born on Aug. 22, 1948. He was drafted and would finish his tour of duty one year later. He married Mona Ueland of Shakopee, and as of 1969, they had a son.
The youngest of the three boys was Larry, who was 19 years old in 1969. Larry was born on May 18, 1950. He decided that since his brothers were doing their part, he would too. Larry enlisted in the Marines, and in 1969 he was situated in Vietnam. He had approximately three and one-half years left in his enlistment. Larry married Betty and had a one-year-old daughter at the time. They lived in Chaska.
All three sons eventually returned home to Shakopee.
Thomas died June 21, 1982, in Shakopee.
Antoinette died April 24, 2011. She was 94 and was a resident of Care Free Living.
She was buried at the Shakopee Catholic Cemetery.
Antoinette left behind 19 grandchildren, 26 great-grandchildren; five great-great-grandchildren; and many loved nieces and nephews who loved her dearly.