New owners and residents of Gays Mills, Arthur and Sarah Winsor with their children, Austin and Vayla, took ownership of Strang’s Plumbing, Heating, and Electric on the company’s 120th year.
In 1904, Strang’s got its start in Richland County, and now 120 years later, Strang’s has found new ownership. Arthur and Sarah Winsor, residents of Gays Mills have taken on the century old company with plans to keep the same locally friendly service while improving on the latest in home mechanicals.
Arthur was born and raised in Gays Mills, grandson of Austin and Judy Winsor, and son of Earl and Denise Winsor. His wife Sarah was born and raised in Boscobel. They were married in 2010 and have resided in the area since then, moving back to Gays Mills in 2017. They have two children, Austin(11) and Vayla(9).
Arthur graduated from North Crawford High School in 2006. In 2012 Arthur started plumbing at Gundersen Lutheran Hospital in La Crosse and two years later at Crossing Rivers Hospital in Prairie Du Chein, before ultimately moving to Strang’s in October of 2014.
Arthur has been on the Gays Mills Fire Department since 2006, becoming an officer on 2019, taking care of the department’s treasurer duties. He is also on the board at Maple Ridge Bible Church, where he and Sarah met, and have attended their whole lives. Sarah is a full time stay at home mom, homeschooling their children and taking care of the family animals.
STRANG’S HISTORY In 1904, Charles (Charlie) Strang started a bicycle and mechanical repair shop. Over the years, Strang’s sold gas engines, water pumps, gas lights and eventually electrical equipment and installation. Charlie sold cars for a short time and had one of the first “horseless carriages” in Richland Center. Charlie also sold some of the first milking machines that were manufactured. Strang’s was one of the first major appliance dealers in the area and sold Westinghouse appliances and Zenith TV’s and radios for many years.
Charlie and his wife Myrl’s oldest son, Myron and Alvina (Schricker) Strang joined the business in the 1930’s. In 1948, Myron was bought out by Forrest and Oleta (Strang) Hinds and Holly and Eleanor (Nelson) Strang. This was after Charlies wife Myrl passed away. Forrest specialized in electrical work and Holly in HVAC, TV, Radio and appliances. He served in the Navy and worked for a time at General Electric before returning to Richland Center. Forrest had been in Chicago and New York and had also served in the Merchant Marine during WWII, prior to returning to Richland Center. Forrest and Oleta retired in 1972.
Holly and Eleanor retired in 1986, and Dick and Barb (Strang) Marshall took over the business. Dick had attended SW Tech for Ag building Trades and worked several building jobs prior to Strang’s in 1982. Barb had a degree from UWEC and worked for the Wisconsin DNR and for many years for the USDADept of Ag and retired from USDA NRCS in 2017.
Strang’s has always been in the lead when new technology was available. This could be seen with Charlie’s early promotion of electrification, Holly’s promotion of the residential heat pump and Dick was one of the first Geothermal dealers in the area.
Strang’s expanded to Viroqua in 1993 and Soldiers Grove in 2006, but closed Soldiers Grove in 2017 for logistical reasons.
GOING FORWARD Since 1904 Strang’s has been a proud advocate for being a local company serving local people. With a crew of almost 20 of the areas best employees, Strang’s has always promised a family first environment at our shops and in each customers home. Each Strang’s employee is committed to treat each home like it’s their own. Strang’s is a 24 hour emergency service, always having someone on call when problems occur. Taking care of plumbing, HVAC, electrical and telecom, they can take care of most anything that can go wrong in your home, and, they can be your one stop shop when building your new home. From furnaces and air conditioning to septic systems and pesky leaks under the sink, and from agricultural and residential electrical work to business and residential telephone and computer systems, Strang’s is a full service company specializing in residential and light commercial work. Strang’s is always striving to provide homes with energy efficient equipment, rising to today’s standards in efficiency.
With questions or to set up an appointment, give us a call at 608-637-2955 (Viroqua) and/or 608-647-2855 (Richland Center). Strang’s is proud to serve Richland, Vernon, Crawford, Grant, and Iowa counties with the latest technology and equipment, and with the “old fashioned” family friendly service. We hope to meet new people and always find ways to help whenever needed.
