Thomas Richard Strauser

Thomas Richard Strauser, 69, of Palm Desert, CA, and formerly of Wooster Lake, IL, died January 29, 2002 at home in Palm Desert, CA. He was born on September 4, 1932, to Homer and Marge Strauser of Chicago, IL. He was the very loved grandson of Margaret DeSilva Curran of Chicago, IL. He was an owner and Secretary/Treasurer of Chicagoland Quad Cities Express, Inc., of Bridgeview, IL. Mr. Strauser and James Vavrik started this company in 1969 as the owners and sole employees of the company. Chicagoland Quad Cities Express is now a major distribution firm in the Chicagoland area employing nearly 100 people. Tom is survived by his wife, Carol Strauser of Palm Desert, CA; his children from Illinois include, Terri Ann (Philip) Wintermute of Bolingbrook, IL, Shari Ann (James) Koleff of Downers Grove, IL and Thomas Robert Strauser, now of Clearwater, FL, children residing in California include, Debbie (Greg) Martin of Clovis, CA, Dan (Linda) Kratovil of Van Nuys, CA, Dawn (Gary) Holm of Roseville, CA, Janie (James) Carduff of Santa Rosa, CA and Ryan Millay of Phoenix, AZ; Tom and Carol are the proud grandparents of 15 grandchildren including, Angela, P.J. and Todd Wintermute, James Koleff, Marissa and Alexa Strauser, Michael, Melissa and Kevin Martin, Jack Kratovil, Bryan, Mandy and Nicki Holm, Megan and Collin Carduff. They lovingly referred to him as Grandpa, Pa and Grandpa Tom; Tom was the elder brother to Larry (Linda) Strauser of St. Petersburg, FL and sister, Peggy Leah Strauser (Larry) Oram of Oldsmar, FL; he was uncle to seven fun-loving nieces and nephews. Tom enjoyed golfing with his many golfing ''buds'' in Illinois and in California. He was a past Governor of the Fox Lake, IL Moose Lodge. His loving personality and always positive outlook will be missed by many. Tom had experienced heart problems most of his adult life. At the age of 57, he underwent valve replacement surgery in Elgin, IL. Then at the age of 67, he had a heart transplant at UCLA Hospital in Los Angeles, CA. He always fought the ''good fight'', but eventually complications from the heart transplant took his life. Services were held January 31, 2002 in California at the Sacred Heart Catholic Church in Palm Desert, CA. In lieu of flowers, the family has requested that expressions of love be given to five of your friends or family members and monetary donations can be made to the Sami Disharron Brain Tumor Research Foundation, 109 Flamingo Road, Cotati, CA 94931- 4362. This is the organization that has provided moral support to Megan Carduff and her successful battle with pediatric brain cancer.