Sheila Kay Stramp Alberhasky
STRAMP, ALBERHASKY, VAN DE VEN
Posted By: Sarah Fletcher (email)
Date: 7/5/2017 at 09:31:57
Sheila Kay Stramp was born on April 28, 1943 in Iowa City, to Richard and Marcella Stramp. Growing up on Capital Street (where the current county jail is located) and moving to Church Street, Sheila was a true Iowa Citian. Her father, an expert mechanic, assured Sheila and her brother had the best handmade toys and some of the fastest cars in town. From a sleigh led by a mechanical horse whose legs moved when pulled, to a metallic dust plum 1958 Chevy, Sheila took great pride in having unique things.
Sheila graduated from Iowa City High School in 1961, where she was a member of the rifle team and the distributive education club.
While in high school, Sheila went to work at JCPenney in downtown Iowa City (where the current public library is located), where she worked her way up in the women’s clothing department to eventually become head clothing buyer.
On October 29, 1968, after her high school sweetheart returned from Vietnam, she married William (Bill) Alberhasky at St. Mary Catholic Church in Iowa City.
Starting their family within the year, Sheila spent her adult life raising her children, caring for her parents and running a highly organized and efficient household. She could clean anything, manage 3 busy kids, and had a mom voice which brought the entire neighborhood to its knees. Every Sunday, sleet or shine, the family gathered for roast, mashed potatoes with gravy and corn prepared by Sheila. Occasionally in the summer, Bill was given the honor of grilling steak instead of roast, but Sunday dinners were a required and necessary part of life.
After whipping her household into shape, Sheila started her own Tupperware business, becoming a manager of the Care-A-Lots. A strong supporter of her product, Sheila had every piece of Tupperware made. If you lost a lid, or needed another cup, Sheila had them or knew how to get them. One of her favorite perks of the business was earning a new Tupperware van every year, which helped not only in her business, but moving the kids around. She took many trips to the Tupperware capital of the world, Florida with all her Tupperware friends gathered to see what was new that season and to see how many women can cram into a hotel room. As a wedding gift for Doug and Sabrina, Sheila ‘tupperized’ their new kitchen, leading to a discussion of when the ‘burp seal door’ would be installed. It was the one piece of Tupperware she wasn’t able to procure.
Sheila loved to travel with her family and friends. From Sheila and Bill’s honeymoon, where Bill’s sister Joan, sewed all their clothes together and filled them with rice; to her trip to New York City with daughter-in-law Sabrina, granddaughter Jessica and daughter Deb last year, Sheila always had an adventure, a story, and usually a reason never to go back. Her trips took her near and far, with her anniversary trip to Hawaii being both the furthest distance and most anticipated trip of her lifetime. She also loved to shop, one year she took Deb shopping at the Mall of America and managed to fill the van with treasures, needless to say Dad took away the credit cards after that trip.
Sheila took great pride in presenting herself. Very conscious of her appearance, she loved having her hair done, her nails done and showing off her jewelry collection. She was an avid supporter of Cook’s Jewelry, thinning Bill’s wallet and his hair on a regular basis with her purchases. Second to her jewelry was her three closets full of clothing which were always organized by color and outfit. When her granddaughter Jessica started dancing at age four, she begged Grandma Sheila to save her from her inept mother and teach her all things hair, makeup and bling, which she happily did.
Sheila’s life, her passion and her reason was family. From her parents, to her many friends, to her grandchildren, Sheila lived and loved with strength and depth. Her path was her own, but she brought everyone along.
Sheila passed away at The Bird House, Hospice Home of Johnson County on Sunday, June 18, 2017 at the age of 74.
In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be directed to the American Cancer Society, Kidney Foundation or The Bird House.
Sheila is survived by her loving husband, Bill; her three children, Doug (Sabrina) Alberhasky of Iowa City, Mike (Anne) Alberhasky of Iowa City and Debra (Jim) Van de Ven of Long Lake, Minn.; and her four grandchildren, JD, Jessica, Olivia and Ben.
She was preceded in death by her parents and her brother, Richard Stramp.
Lensing Funeral & Cremation Service
Johnson Obituaries maintained by Cindy Booth Maher.
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