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Shirley Strait, 91, of Storm Lake died Feb. 16, 2026, at her residence.
Funeral services will take place Tuesday, Feb. 24, at 3 p.m. at United Methodist Church in Storm Lake. Visitation will be held Tuesday, Feb. 24, from 1-3 p.m. at the church. Fratzke & Jensen Funeral Home in Storm Lake is in charge of the arrangements.
Shirley was born July 21, 1934, to Martin and Matilda (Buschenfeld) Heeren in Rock Rapids. She was baptized at the United Methodist Church in Rock Rapids. Shirley also attended school in Rock Rapids, graduating in 1952.
On Aug. 19, 1956, Shirley was united in marriage to Lyle “Ben” Strait in Rock Rapids. To this union four children were born: Rex, Randy, Nancy and Thia.
Shirley was a wonderful wife, mother and grandmother. She and Ben found joy in dancing, golfing and traveling together. Many memories were made on camping trips with her family. In her free time, Shirley could be found crafting and sewing. In the warmer months, she enjoyed tending to her flower beds and vegetable gardens. Shirley looked forward to getting together with her friends during Cosmopolitan Club and Questor’s Club. She will be remembered for her caring, thoughtful and loving spirit.
Shirley’s memory lives on with her children: Rex Strait of Marion; Randy (Sharon) Strait of Lexington, Ill.; Nancy Bell of Iowa City; Thia Rose of Iowa City; grandchildren: Rachael (David) Bennett of Greenville, S.C.; Michelle Strait of Marion; Jessica (Wes) Linville of Marion; Adam (Alissa) Strait of Chenoa, Ill.; Lisa (Tim) Donovan of St. Charles, Mo.; Nate (Melissa) Strait of Bartonville, Ill.; 15 great-grandchildren; nieces: Cathy Van Meeteren, Pam Scheepstra, Mary Thomas and Anne Ageson; nephew Thomas Tille; extended family and a host of friends.
She was preceded in death by her parents; husband Ben Strait; siblings: Luke Heeren, Harry Heeren, Johanna Heeren, Al Heeren, Marvin Heeren and Vern Heeren; sister-in-law Leota Tille; and nephew Mark Tille.
