Joan Stroda, 95, died November 3, 2020 at Hillsboro, KS. A Celebration of Life and Rosary was held with her family November 7 at the St. Phillips Catholic Church and Pilgrim Home Cemetery officiated by Father Peter O’Donnell.
She was born on August 1, 1925 in Leon Kansas to Perry and Fanny (Dixon) Strait. She married Max Stroda on December 27, 1945 at the St. Phillips Catholic Church in Hope.
Survivors include son, Steve Stroda (Barbara) of rural Hope, daughters Linda Peters (Van) of rural Hillsboro, and Janet Barrett of rural Hope. She leaves behind eleven grandchildren, Pam Krause (Kris), Renae Riedy (Casey), Debi O’Bray (John), Dim Diekmann (Doug), Barry Little (Janelle), Colby Little (Christie), Ty Little (Elaine), Ryan Peters (Jamie), Stacey Peters, Travis Barrett (Barb), Justin Barrett (JaRae), 198 Great Grandchildren, and 6 Great-Great Grandchildren.
Memorials can be made to St. Phillips Catholic Church at Hope, 712 N. Broadway, Herington KS 67449 or they can be mailed to Jost Funeral Home P.O. Box 266 Hillsboro, KS 67063. Online condolences at www.jostfuneralhome.com
Life Sketch Taken from the Funeral Bulletin
Joan Stroda was the daughter of Perry and Fanny (Dixon) Strait. She was born on a hot summer day of August 1, 1925 on a farm northeast of Leon, KS. She joined her twin brother Frank and sister Frances who were nine years older. Joan enjoyed this life as her Grandmother Dixon lived close by along with her mother's sisters (aunts) and brothers (uncles). She was surrounded by family.
Joan's young life on the family farm changed quite dramatically in 1929 when at the age of four, her mother died suddenly as a result of complications from a surgical procedure. The family continued to stay together on the farm during the Great Depression (1929-39) and the Dust Bowl (1930-36). In 1933 her brother and sister would attend El Dorado Junior College and at the age of eight she joined them so she could go to school in El Dorado. Her father would remain working on the farm. The following year she moved to Hutchinson to live with her Aunt and Uncle John Coleman and cousin Jack. Once her sister Frances finished her education, Joan moved back to the farm. Frances had obtained her first teaching position close by and Joan was reunited with her family. She remained on the farm enjoying life in the country until once again she moved. This time, at the age of 14, she would join her sister, Frances, who had a teaching position in the Hope School District. During those three years she was at Hope, she met the love of her life, Max, whose parents farmed in that community. It wasn't in the cards for her to remain in Hope though as she then followed her sister who acquired a teaching position at Shawnee Mission. There she finished her high school years. She had enough credits after her Junior year that she found that she could enroll at Kansas State University and get back somewhat closer to Hope and to Max. She attended one year at K-State before Max and her decided they wanted to get married, but the economy was just recovering from the Great Depression, Dust Bowl and World War II and money was tight. There was no money for the frivolous—the money went for necessities. Joan decided to move back to Hope where she rented a room from a lady and worked at the Herington Air Base. There she obtained a clerk position that assisted the soldiers in obtaining everything in the way of clothing and supplies they might need before being shipped overseas.
On December 27, 1945 she was joined in holy matrimony to Max Stroda in Hope Kansas at the St. Phillips Catholic Church. This union was blessed with the birth of four children, Steve, Sherry, Linda, and Janet. They purchased a farmstead together north of Hope which became their life long endeavor. Joan was a stay at home mom who enjoyed the agricultural aspects of raising crops and cattle along with raising her children. She involved herself in community clubs, church organizations and 4H activities.
Joan was a loving and devoted wife, mother, grandmother, great-grandmother, sister and friend. She loved hearing about all the activities her family were involved in. She was also the family patriarch who helped with many decisions and had many helpful ideas in sometimes “tough” situations.Joan enjoyed the out-of-doors and providing for her family. Her gardens always provided for the family and much of the summer everyone spent many hours assisting with the canning and processing food for the winter. The cellar was always filled with canned vegetables, fruits and beef. The Sundays were spent going to church as a family and spending time together.
Her later years were spent helping Max with the farming and ranching along with assisting the children and grandchildren in all their endeavors. She loved being with Max and doing things together whether it was checking pastures, planting crops or riding along to pay a bill, they were inseparable until his death.
In 2014, Joan moved to Hillsboro assisted living at Parkside Homes where she continued to enjoy visits from her children, grandchildren, and great grandchildren. Even though she never complained and was well cared for, she continued to miss their home on the farm.
On Tuesday, November 3, 2020, Joan passed from this earth to be with her heavenly father, her lifetime partner Max, her family, and was reacquainted with her mother that was taken from her at a very young age. A private family burial, surrounded by her family that she loved so much and what kept her connected to see what each new day was to bring, was her request. Her final resting place will bring her back home to where she loved to be. The Pilgrim Cemetery is that place that overlooks all the dreams that Max and her started from scratch and to what they were so proud to have accomplished.
She was preceded in death by her parents, Perry and Fanny Strait, her husband, Max, her brother Frank and sister Frances Brown, a daughter Sherry Little, a son-in-law Steve Barrett, and a great grandson Tate Riedy.
She is survived by her son, Steve Stroda, wife Barbara of Hope, her daughters Linda Peters, husband Van of Hillsboro and Janet Barrett of Hope. She leaves behind eleven grandchildren, Barry Little and Janelle of Salina, Colby Little and Christie of Olathe, Ty Little and Elaine of Milpitas CA, Pam Krause and Kris of Woodbine, Renae Riedy and Casey of Woodbine, Debi O'Bray and John of Topeka, Kim Diekmann and Doug of Woodbine, Ryan Peters and Jamie of Lehigh, Stacy Peters of McPherson, Travis Barrett and Barb of Hope, Justin Barrett and JaRae of Fort Worth TX, 18 great grandchildren and 5 great-great grandchildren. She also leaves a sister-in-law Edna Polston, Marilyn Stroda and a brother-in-law Clarence Stroda.