Irene J. Strait

Irene Joyce Strait was born July 21, 1934, near Corning, Iowa to Dale Scott Bressler and Eula Delorma (Allison) Bressler. She passed away on Monday, May 14, 2018 at the Lucas County Health Center located in Chariton, Iowa at the age of 83 years.

Irene’s family moved around quite a bit in her youth as her father worked in various places in Iowa and the surrounding states. Although, most of her schooling had taken place in Corning, Iowa, where she graduating in May of 1952. Irene met Warren Strait in 1950, as he would frequent where she worked and they attended the same Sunday School class. They had been dating for about a year, until he entered the U.S. Navy in April of 1951. Irene, stated she wrote him faithfully every day while he was in boot camp. Irene and Warren were united in marriage on December 21, 1952 in the Methodist Church in Corning, Iowa. To this union was born four children, Scott, Bryan, Becky and Treva.

Irene’s husband, Warren was a Park Ranger, so she had the pleasure of living in four state parks, such as Red Haw State Park in Chariton, Iowa and Palisades Kepler State Park in Mt. Vernon. Irene was totally devoted to the animals that surrounded her environment in the parks where Warren worked. She raised a deer that was named “Taffy” and a raccoon, she named “Stanley”. Taffy and Stanley lived a long healthy life as the family would see them years after they were released in the wild. Warren allowed Irene to save all animals with the exception of the possum as they were too ugly in his opinion.

Irene had worked various jobs throughout her life, such as coffee shops in her youth, JcPenney’s clothing stores, front desk clerk for Dr. Runyon, assisted her son in running the roller rink, “Strait Skate” located in Chariton in the late 1980’s, and volunteering her time at the Chariton Area Chamber of Commerce office. She was a member of the First United Methodist Church, Order of the Eastern Star women’s group, American Legion Auxiliary and the Yakety Yak club.

In her spare time, Irene enjoyed needlepoint projects, visiting with friends and making new friends. Traveling was a highlight in Irene’s life as she experienced the Holy lands, the landscapes of Spain and the beauty of the Hawaiian islands to name a few. Plus, endless trips to Branson, Missouri with good friends making cherished memories were equally important to her. Last but not least, was Irene’s love of bowling. Her husband often stated that she would leave her death bed to go bowling with friends. Irene had a delightful personality and will leave warm fond memories with those who knew her.

Irene was preceded in death by her husband, Warren Darwin Strait; her parents Dale and Eula (Allison) Bressler; her two sons, Scott and Bryan Strait; her brother, Raymond Bressler; and special friend, Dr. Verle Foot. She is survived by her children, Becky Strait of Chariton, IA and Treva (Gary) White of Russell, IA; her grandchildren, Heidi (Jason) Laube of Clear Lake, IA, Lindsey White of Des Moines, IA, Tessa White of Maryville, MO, Joyce Shelton of Monroe, IA, Sonya Attebury of Chariton, IA, Katey Jo (Alex) Farnum of Lacona, IA, Heather Gatcia and Julian Strait of Washington state; her sister Ina Ray of Creston, IA; eight grandchildren and eleven great grandchildren.

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