Howard Strasser (1924-2002)

STRASSER, SIMPKINS, HIEMSTRA, JACKSON, JONES, ADAMS, KIRBY, MARTIN

Posted By: volunteer
Date: 1/4/2020 at 16:35:06

Howard G. "Swede" Strasser, 78, of rural Rose Hill, died Friday, September 20, 2002 at Mahaska Hospital in Oskaloosa. He was born on August 7, 1924 in Keokuk County, Iowa, the son of Eli Howard and Leona Simpkins Strasser. He graduated from the Rose Hill High School in 1942. On October 11, 1945, he was married to Darlene Hiemstra at Rose Hill. Together, they farmed north of Rose Hill since 1960. He also was a substitute rural mail carrier, and eventually became a regular mail carrier, before retiring in 1990 after working for 18 years. He was a Past Grand Chancellor of the Knights of Pythias, a Charter Member of Rose Hill Ruritan Club, Mahaska County Sherriff's Possee, a Mahaska County 4-H Leader and served on the 4-H County Committee for many years, served on the Mahaska County FHA Board, ASCS Board, Oskaloosa Sale Barn Board, Mahaska County Extension Council, and was a Trustee for Monroe Township of Mahaska County for many years.

Swede is survived by his wife, Darlene Strasser of rural Rose Hill, a son and his wife: Herbert Strasser and Margaret Jackson Strasser of Ames, Iowa; two daughters: Karen Jones and her husband Dan of St. Francis, Kansas; and Penny Adams of Oskaloosa; 8 grandchildren: Hale and Eric Strasser, Amanda, Adam, and Katelyn Jones, and Cassie, Cody, and Sam Adams; and 2 great grandchildren: Harrison and Erich Strasser.

He was preceded in death by his parents, and one sister: Jessie Kirby.

Funeral services for Howard "Swede" Strasser will be held Monday, September 23, 2002 at 10:30 a.m. at the Bates Funeral Chapel in Oskaloosa with the Rev. Daryl Martin officiating. Burial will be at Hopewell Cemetery, north of Rose Hill. Visitation will begin Saturday after 4:00 p.m., and the family will be present at the funeral chapel Sunday 5 - 7 p.m. to greet friends and relatives. Memorials may be made to either the Hopewell Cemetery or the Rose Hill Ruritan Club.