James Strautman, 94 of Carroll, died Thursday, April 22, 2021 at St. Anthony Nursing Home in Carroll.
Mass of the Christian Burial will be Celebrated at 10:30 a.m., Friday, April 30, 2021 at St. John Paul II Parish – St. Lawrence Church in Carroll. The Celebrant will be Fr. Kevin Richter. Music will be by Marcy Anderson and Kathleen Macke. Lectors for the Funeral Mass will be Sarah Pike and Carol Strautman. Honorary Casket Bearers will be Sarah Pike, Debbie Koster, Marissa Strautman, Leah Taylor, Ellen Baker, Bridget Kosmach, Heather Jeffers, and Karlie Kaiser. Casket Bearers will be Randy Bruening, Michael Strautman, Kenny Kaiser, Kaden Kaiser, Bill Stoffel, and Will Stoffel. Burial will be in Mt. Olivet Cemetery in Carroll with Military Honors conducted by the Carroll American Legion.
Visitation without greeting the family will be held from 9:30 – 10:15 a.m. on Friday at the church. Those in attendance are required to wear a face covering and abide by current social distancing guidelines.
In lieu of flowers, should one desire, memorials may be left for James J. Strautman Center for Academic Excellence at Kuemper Catholic Schools in Carroll, Iowa. A direct link is provided here: https://kuemper.org/donate/memorial___honor_gifts, or those memorials may be mailed to Sharp Funeral Home, 226 W. 8th St. Carroll, IA 51401 and will be forwarded to Kuemper Catholic Schools.
Funeral arrangements are under the guidance of the Sharp Funeral Home in Carroll and online condolences for Jim’s family may be left at www.sharpfuneral.com.
Jim Strautman was Born February 4, 1927 in Wien, Missouri, the son of Bernard and Theresa (Palms) Strautman. He grew up as a hard-working farm boy who was intensely loyal to and supportive of his family throughout their lives. Jim was a World War II veteran, serving with the occupation forces in France and Germany for two and a half years. He was also a Korean War Veteran who served with the 96th FA Battalion on the frontlines for 5 years. During intense fighting near the end of the Korean war he was awarded the Bronze Service Star for meritorious service. In his career, he reached the rank of Captain.
Jim received a Bachelor of Science degree in agriculture education from the University of Missouri in 1952 and a Master of Science degree from Iowa State University in 1958. He also earned post graduate honors in counselor education. Jim taught vocational agriculture at Bayard High School for two and a half years before accepting a position at Kuemper Catholic High School in 1956. Jim’s career at Kuemper included teaching agriculture and physics as well as serving as a school counselor for a total of 31 years. He retired from Kuemper in 1987 to pursue his passion full time of his Christmas Tree Farm businesses he started in 1962. On May 30, 1987, Jim married Joan Olesen.
Jim was always interested in soil conservation and in growing trees. He was one of the founders of the Iowa Christmas Tree Growers Association and served as its first vice president. He was elected president of the association and served 5 years. He also served on the board of directors for 19 years.
For over 50 years, Jim loved working at his tree farms promoting Iowa trees and providing a cut- your-own family holiday experience for generations of Iowans. He planted, pruned, and cared for his trees personally alongside his children. Jim always said that Fraser firs were the best and added that the beauty of a Christmas tree is in the eyes of the beholder.
Jim was a member of St Lawrence Church, a member of the American Legion and a life member of the Veterans of Foreign Wars. In May 2015, Jim and his granddaughter, Sarah, made the trip on the Honor Flight from Des Moines to Washington, D.C. to honor all veterans.
Survivors include his wife, Joan, of Carroll; two sons, Jim (Carol) of Carroll, John (Kate) of Fort Lauderdale, FL; daughters, Janice (Dr. William) Stoffel of Dubuque; Mary Jeffers of Warrenville, IL; Ellen (Larry) Johnson of Des Moines; Trish Strautman of Dubuque and Katie (Kenny) Kaiser of Ankeny; 11 grandchildren and 12 great grandchildren.
He was preceded in death by his parents, his first wife, Joetta and mother of his children; a sister, three brothers and a son, Thomas.
