Verna Lou Strahler

1933 - 2023

Verna Lou Strahler
July 9, 1933 - March 21, 2023
Boise, Idaho - Verna Lou "Butch" Strahler was born on July 9, 1933 in Weiser, Idaho. She passed away on March 21, 2023 in Boise, Idaho at the age of 89, surrounded by her family.
Verna was a loving wife, mother, grandmother, and friend. She was always active and enjoyed waterskiing, snow skiing, and sports cars. She loved her small dogs and garage sales. She had a lifelong passion for bookkeeping.
"Butch", was the nickname given to her by her first husband Ron Porter. Less than a month after her 19th birthday, they were married. The nuptials were performed August 1, 1952. She was a devoted mother of 2 girls by the time she was 22 and their third child, a son, was born when she was 27. Even with a young family to care for, she continued to support Ron in business and his passion for auto racing. She was also very involved with Ron in community affairs and sports car activities. She was a long-time member of SWISCC (Southwest Idaho Sports Car Club) and later the Porsche Club. While Ron was the Idaho State President of the Jay-Cees, Verna was the President of the Meridian Jay-C-Ettes. They were very involved in the Miss Idaho competition.
In 1968 Verna was widowed following a tragic accident. Verna decided to join the workforce a year later. She first went to work for an employment agency. Following which she was asked to model in an advertisement for the firm. A neighbor boy once said that she looked like Angie Dickenson. Later she was asked by two associates to manage a Century 21 real estate office. While working there for several years, she attended Boise Junior College to obtain her real estate broker license.
At the age 40, Verna gave birth to her fourth child, Jill. Being a single working mother was just another challenge for her. With babysitting help from Ron's sister Irma, Verna was able to continue working to provide for her family.
In 1976 Verna married Louis Strahler and welcomed his three teenage children into the new family. Verna was very accommodating and welcomed them anytime and even if they needed a place to stay. She always had a bed and breakfast for whomever wished to visit. It never seemed to be an inconvenience to her. During their 48 year marriage, Verna partnered with Lou in Strahler Heating & Cooling, handling bookkeeping and office management. Because of her "attention to detail" nature, she was always the best business partner to manage the payroll, bookkeeping …etc. They traveled internationally, including trips to China, Thailand, Bermuda, Canada, several trips to Mexico. Also traveling to Seattle and Los Angeles to visit family, but mainly enjoyed their lives in Boise. One of Verna's favorite places is McCall, where they had many adventures. Including annual family reunions, glamping in their motor home, enjoying the lake and picking huckleberries with family. Recently she said, "at the age of 35, I felt that I had lived a full life, but my marriage to Lou was the happiest part of my life".
Verna survived two cancer diagnoses. She had some poor health conditions due to the harsh cancer treatments. However, it never stopped her and it just barely slowed her down. It was just another life challenge that she met head-on and conquered, the best she could. Even at 89, she was always determined to live her life with the same fortitude that she always had. She was polite and proper, a true lady. She cared for everyone she knew and treated everyone with respect. She was as beautiful inside as she was outside, always keeping herself as perfect as she kept her house and her beauty.
Verna was preceded in death by her parents, Vernon and Edna Coulter, her baby brother Eugene, who died at 13 months, and her first husband, Ronald Porter. Also, recently passing, her son-in-law, John Atieri. She is survived by her husband, Louis Strahler and her sister Irene (Steve) Barak. Also, survived by her, are her daughters, Carrie (Brad) Hickel, Jan Altieri, Jill (Ray) Ross, and her son Brett (Leslie) Porter. Her step children, Christine Langhorst, Louis Strahler, and Karen Strahler. She leaves behind 17 grandchildren and 10 great grandchildren.
In lieu of flowers, the family requests that donations be made to the American Cancer Society.
Verna will be deeply missed by all who knew her. She was a kind and generous woman who always put others before herself. She will be remembered for her love of life, her zest for adventure, and her dedication to her family and friends.
A Celebration of her Life is planned for September 16, 2023, at 3:00 P.M. at the First Baptist Church in Boise (more recently being referred to as True Hope Church) 607 N 13th St, Boise, ID 83702.