Obituaries

Jim “Strauto” Strautman, 66 of Scranton and formerly of Carroll, died Monday morning, April 4, 2022 at Greene County Medical Center in Jefferson.
Mass of the Christian Burial will be celebrated at 10 a.m., Saturday, April 9,. 2022 at Holy Spirit Church – St. John Paul II Parish in Carroll. The Celebrant will be Fr. Patrick Behm. Music will be by Kathy Halbur, Sherry Loughran and Kathleen Macke. Lectors will be Leah Taylor, Ellen Baker, Heather Jeffers, and Bridget Kosmach. Gift Bearers will be Jim’s children: Sarah Pike, Debbie Koster, Marissa Strautman, and Michael Strautman. Casket Bearers will be Will Stoffel, Frank Kosmach, Ron Baker, Kaden Kaiser, Max Irlmeier, Kegan Croghan, Karsen Croghan, Brody Beane, Paxton Beane, and Cooper Irlmeier.
Visitation will be from 4-7 p.m. on Friday at the Sharp Funeral Home in Carroll with a Christian Wake Service and a time of sharing at 7 p.m. There will be no public visitation on Saturday at the church. In lieu of flowers memorials may be left at the funeral home or the church for Kuemper Catholic Schools.
Funeral arrangements are under the guidance of the Sharp Funeral Home in Carroll and online condolences may be left for Strauto’s family at www.sharpfuneral.com.
Jim was born February 2, 1956, in Carroll, IA. He was the son of Jim and Joetta (Clark) Strautman. Jim grew up in Carroll and graduated from Kuemper Catholic High School in 1974. Jim was married to Carol Irlmeier on September 14, 1974, at Sacred Heart Catholic Church in Templeton, IA. Jim and Carol made their home in Templeton then later moved to Carroll where they continued to raise their four children Sarah, Debbie, Marissa and Michael. Beginning at a young age, Jim assisted with his father’s business, Strautman Tree Farm and continued to plant trees throughout his life. Directly after high school, Jim learned customer service and life skills from Bernie Janning and Chico Kanne. Jim had an entrepreneurial spirit and opened his first business, Strautman Lawn Care, in 1977. At Strautman Lawn Care, he had the pleasure of working with two lifelong friends, Kenny (Suds) Lux and Stan Daiker. In 1990, Strauto and Tom “Tank” Wieland started their partnership of several businesses the first being Bloomers Bar N Grill. It was Jim’s lifelong dream to live out in the country where he and Carol spent many years enjoying wildlife, hunting, fishing, restoring the land and sharing it with family and friends. He spent countless hours seeding conservation acres and assisting Kuemper with upkeep on their sports fields. Jim was very proud of his 30 years of sobriety and helping others with their journey to sobriety.
Jim was a friendly, outgoing, and gentle man whose community meant much to him. He was hardworking and often sacrificed himself for others in a quiet and unassuming way. He had the capacity to deeply love his family and friends. Jim made the final gift of tissue donation through the Iowa Donor Network that will help up to 50 people.
Jim is survived by his wife, Carol of rural Scranton; three daughters: Sarah Pike (Terry) of Clive; Debbie Koster (Barry) of West Des Moines; Marissa Strautman of Minneapolis, MN; son Michael Strautman (Brandi) of Carroll; granddaughter Lucy Pike; three grandsons Charlie Pike, Cameron Koster and Ari Koster; siblings: Jan (Bill) Stoffel; Mary Jeffers; Patricia Strautman; Ellen (Larry) Johnson; John (Kate) Strautman; Katie (Kenny) Kaiser; his sisters-in-law and brothers-in-law: JoAnn (Dave) Beane; Donna (Loren) Eischeid; Deb (Kyle) Hansen; Connie (Dave) Hoffman; Jan (Tim) Andersen; Bruce (Anissa) Irlmeier; Tom (Kim) Irlmeier; Linda (Luke) Croghan; Brenda (Paul) Croghan. many nieces and nephews, extended family members and good friends.
Jim was preceded in death by his father Jim and his spouse Joan Strautman; mother Joetta and her spouse Ray Peterson; brother Thomas Strautman; his parents-in-law Frank and Mary Ann Irlmeier; his brothers-in-law, Mark Irlmeier, Kenneth Irlmeier, and Danny Meiners.