Janice Stracke

Janice Elaine Stracke died on March 27, 2024, at her home in Hollywood, Florida.

Jan was born on June 2, 1932, in Glasford, Illinois. She grew up with her parents and two brothers, attending Timber Township High School and graduating from a class of 20 in 1950.

Jan then attended Western Illinois University, where she graduated in 1955 with a bachelor's degree in education. She was a member of Sigma Sigma Sigma sorority.

She started teaching in Glasford in 1953 and following graduation from Western, she taught at an elementary school in Park Forest, Illinois.

Jan married Paul Stracke in 1957, and they settled in Michigan City, Indiana, where she continued her teaching career.

They moved to Long Beach, Indiana, in 1959 to raise their son and daughter. By then, she was teaching at Long Beach School, with frequent trips to the beach and rounds of golf. Jan was also an active member of the P.E.O. Sisterhood and Tri Kappa, philanthropic organizations with educational missions.

Between 1967 and 1972, Jan attended Purdue University and earned a master's degree in education. She then became a librarian for the Michigan City Area Schools.

Not long after Paul's death in 1986, Jan retired from teaching and split her time between Long Beach and Green Valley, Arizona. She became a full-time Arizonian in 1995. She assumed the role of social director for her community, enjoyed junkets to Laughlin, Nevada, and traveling, played in the local golf league, and was a member of the Red Hat Society.

Jan moved to Hollywood, Florida, in 2021 to be close to her daughter.

Jan was preceded in death by her husband, Paul Theodor Stracke; parents, John and Mabel Kelley; and brother, Phil (Dawn) Kelley. She is survived by her brother, Pat (Nell) Kelley; son, Peter (Daree) Stracke; daughter, Anne Stracke; grandson, Jay Stracke; and granddaughter, Julie Stracke.

A memorial will be held at the Long Beach Community Center, 2501 Oriole Trail, 46360, at 10 a.m., Saturday, May 18. Lunch to follow.

In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to the P.E.O. Foundation, 3700 Grand Ave., Des Moines, IA 50312.