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Ruby Strehlow Obituary
MESA, Ariz. – Ruby Miller Strehlow, a retired nurse, passed away June 8, 2007, in Mesa, Ariz. She was born March 19, 1924, in Gowen, Okla., the eighth child of John C. and Odessa (Lowe) Miller.
She was raised in the area around Mesa. She graduated from the Good Samaritan Hospital School of Nursing in 1946, then received her license as an RN, serving in the Cadet Nursing Corps during World War II.
She married Roger Albert Strehlow on Aug. 21, 1948, in Milwaukee, Wis. He was an engineering professor at the University of Illinois, specializing in combustion. They raised two sons in Champaign, John Charles and James Edward.
She was preceded in death by her husband, two sons, her parents, four sisters and four brothers.
Ruby is survived by six grandchildren, Andrew Benjamin, Jason Parker and Monica Odessa Strehlow, all of Colorado, and Julia Miller, Charles Perry and Samuel Henry Strehlow of Urbana; her daughter-in-law, Cindy Strehlow of Urbana; great-grandchildren, Milla Cassidy and Sequoyah Ivory Strehlow of Colorado; and her two sisters of Tempe, Ariz., Naomi (Miller) Fitzgerald and Betty (Miller) Thompson, who were her loving guardians the last few years of her life. She had many nieces, nephews, great-nieces and nephews and great-great-nieces and nephews living in Arizona and elsewhere.
Ruby was a fabulous cook. She loved country music and especially her vegetable and flower garden.
There will be an informal gathering of family and friends at the First Presbyterian Church of Urbana, 602 W. Green St., Urbana, on Wednesday, June 20, at 10:30 a.m. Owens Funeral Home (101 N. Elm St.) in Champaign will conduct a graveside funeral service at Mount Hope Cemetery, Champaign, at 12 p.m.
In lieu of flowers, the family has asked for memorials to be sent to St. Jude Children's Research Hospital, P.O. Box 50, Memphis, TN 38101.
Memories and Condolences
for Ruby Strehlow
Betty Thomspson
June 11, 2008
It has been a year now since you went Home to be with our Heavenly Father, Naomi and I still miss you and not being able to go visit you. We know that you are at Peace now and no more pain. We speak of you often, remembering the stories you use to tell us about the three grand-children, Julia,Charlie and little Henry. To you Henry would always remain Little as that is how you remembered him. You were so proud of them.
I can hear your laughter at times, and we thinks of the good times we had growing up together. Naomi and I both have our Health problems but keep pushing ahead, keeping your Memory alive. We are the only two left of Pop and Mom's eleven children and we know that some day we will all we together again and never be apart again. Rest in Peace our beautiful sister.
Naomi (Miller)Fitzgerald and Betty(Miller) Thompson
Walter "Kent" Fitzgerald
July 22, 2007
Aunt Ruby will always hold such a special place in my heart because of the fun times we shared. Especially when I was going to school at Chanute AFB and was welcomed to stay with her & Uncle Roger. The meals we shared having fresh veggies from her garden were the BEST!(Sorry Mom). In fact I still crave her snow peas to this day. And even though I stayed up most of the night playing pinochle with them instead of studying, I still managed to pass at the top of my class. Aunt Ruby truly loved life and enjoyed it to its fullest. This world needs to gain more Aunt Ruby's, not lose them. I will always miss her warm, infectious smile. Til we meet again.....
Gene Miller
July 15, 2007
To the posterity of Ruby,
Although we don't know our "cousins" we did know your mom and always admired the beautiful woman that she was. We are glad that she is with her sweetheart Roger once again and with her parents and other brothers and sisters. We will miss her and look forward to the day we will all be togther again.
Love, Gene and Judie Miller
Julia Strehlow
July 14, 2007
I will miss my grandmother very much and always remember her garden and
her love of cooking. She remains in my heart as the fun-loving person
that I knew her as when I was a little girl. I will never forget her as well as my grandfather, my father, and my uncle. We miss them all very much.
Cindy Strehlow
July 14, 2007
I am sorry to be so late in signing this, but we didn't know about it right away, then we were on vacation.
I thought some of you would like to know about Grandam Strehlow's service. Her grandchildren all wanted to be together to share memories and also at the burial. We managed to get 5 of the six, plus Barbara, who is Andy, Jason, and Monica's mother. We went through boxes of pictures and made the fried shrimp that she and her son John always cooked at family gatherings.
The next morning we had an imformal gathering at our church with flowers and pictures and the cookies she was famous for, also Jim and John's favorite--peanut and chocolate spiral cookies she called whirligiggies. Five of her bridge club friends came and we had a great time reminiscing some more. It was good for the grandchildren to hear stories about their family--some of them quite surprising! We had fun and she would have liked that.
There was a brief internment service at the cemetary led by our associate pastor Ruth Clendenin.
Thanks to all of you for contributing to this guest book.
We are grateful for the love and care she received from Betty and Naomi and all the friends and family she had at home in Arizona.
Cindy Strehlow
Marjorie Webster
June 28, 2007
Sorry for the loss of your sister. You had her a long time to enjoy. Although we briefly knew her we did enjoy visiting with her when she came to Namon's home and visited. Our sympathy to you all.
Your SD Friends
Merritt and Marge Webster
Phyllis C, Rigisby
June 28, 2007
I haven't seen Ruby for over 20 years. She and Roger were in CO and she contacted me and we met for dinner. We used to play bridge together in Ill. I've thought of her often. She was a good friend and a wonderful person. I browse the News Gazette obits from time to time Noow I know. God Bless her.
Lois Tester
June 28, 2007
I didn't know my Aunt Ruby well, as she and her family lived so far away. I do remember as a young girl everyone expressing what a great nurse she was and how everyone admired her. I decided I would become a nurse and get all that admiration too. My short lived dream came to a halt when the sight of blood made me dizzy and nauseous.
I do remember her beautiful smile and how it warmed my heart. She was a beautiful person inside and out and will be remembered fondly by her family and all those that had the pleasure of knowing her.
Connie Smail
June 27, 2007
My sincere sympathy to you all. May God surround you with His comforting love and peace.
Sandy Grace
June 25, 2007
Ruby was a wonderful person. I have lots of memories of Ruby, Roger and their boys. I remember swinging on a rope over a ditch by Ruby's parents home. That has been a long time ago! Ruby was a wonderful friend of my moms Chris aka Edna Titcomb and my mom treasured their friendship. I'm grateful mom was able to visit with Ruby when she returned to Mesa a few years ago. GOD BLESS ALL OF THE FAMILY!
Love,
Sandy (Titcomb) Grace
Ed Titcomb
June 24, 2007
We heard wonderful stories about Ruby and Chris (Edna), and their great friendship. They kept in touch, even though Ruby lived out of state. We remember Roger & Ruby's visits to Arizona too. She was a wonderful person, and so sorry Chris could not have been more interactive with Ruby in her final years.
We express our sympathy to Ruby's family, Ed & Alyson Titcomb
Paula DeSalvo
June 18, 2007
My sympathy is with your family, God bless. Paula
Wayne Fitzgerald
June 17, 2007
What a great, easy-going Aunt we had. It was so much fun to try and get her going. Aunt Ruby will be sorely missed.
Betty Jane Vogl
June 15, 2007
God Bless you and hold your memories and time spent together close to your heart. Love bj
David knutson
June 15, 2007
sending our deepest condolences.
Frank Ed Knutson
June 15, 2007
I remember Aunt Ruby welcoming me as a young US Marine when I passed through town in the mid '70s. Offerings of a great home cooked meal, and food to take with me. Concern for my health and well being came from her heart. Taking care of me was such a pleasure to her and she was as heartwarming as she ever was. I've known that difference that such a loving and caring person makes in my life, and I'm glad to call her my Aunt. Love you Aunt Ruby, and we'll meet again at the banquet table with our Heavenly Father!
Betty Thompson
June 15, 2007
Rest in Pease beautiful Sister, we will miss you but we know you have completed your Journey here on Earth and are now enjoying the best and last part of your Life which will last for ever and ever with our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ We Loved you and will always remember your great personality and humerous ways that could always make your friends and family laugh. Give our Love to Mom and Pop and tell them Naomi and I will be okay until the Lord calls us home.
Your two Sisters Naomi Miller Fitzgerald and Betty Miller Thompson
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