Iris Gail (Koehn) Strahan
1944 - 2020
Obituary
Iris Gail (Koehn) Strahan, 75, died
Thursday, May 14, 2020, at Newton Medical Center.
Iris was born November 8, 1944 to
Ernest H. Koehn and Nola (Schmidt) Koehn. She was the first of their
3 daughters. She was a graduate of Newton High School and the school
of cosmetology in Hutch.
Iris was a dedicated homemaker,
following in the tradition of her own mother. She kept an immaculate
and beautiful home brimming with color and balance and took great
pride in maintaining her appearance and impeccable style. A natural
comedienne, she delighted in comedy with her natural wit keeping us
entertained and rolling in laughter.
When Iris returned to the work force in
1982, after her children were old enough, she stuck to her love of
babies and embarked on a career in infant care. A dedicated
caregiver, she nurtured countless infants during their time in
daycare and was rewarded by their responses of love, antics, and
comments from their parents who lavished kind words on the unbounded
love she gave their children. She was a baby magnet everywhere she
went with smiles from babies in shopping carts who responded
instantly to her, her natural red hair catching their eye. Iris felt
this rapport was a gift from her God, and this love extended through
her prayers for them and their families for 35 years.
On May 1, Iris received the doctor's
report that her body was laden with cancer throughout and she entered
the hospital until May 14, the birthday of her first grandson, when
her body gave up. We never heard a word of bitterness for this sudden
health crisis, as she seemed to accept this as God's plan for her
life. She joyfully voiced her anticipation of being in heaven as the
greatest reward of her belief in Jesus, praying the pain would soon
end. We will miss her feisty spirit and unique ways, but know she is
in the presence of the Radiance Everlasting in heaven.
Iris is survived by her sister, Maureen
(Koehn) Fast (husband Kenneth Fast); 2 daughters, Nicole (Strahan)
Witte (husband Edwin Witte); and Dawn (Strahan) LaFountain (husband
Todd LaFountain); 5 grandchildren, Andrew Joseph Plaxton (Cara
Creed); Ethan Drake LaFountain, Griffin Cole LaFountain, Carson Todd
LaFountain, and Macie Erin LaFountain; 3 great grandchildren,
Benjamin Greggory Plaxton, Nora Lee Ann Melfi, and Scarlet Blair
Plaxton; her aunt, Ruth Collins, and former husband, Dennis Wayne
Strahan.
She was preceded in death by her
parents, Ernest H. Koehn, and Nola (Schmidt) Koehn, and a sister,
Marsha Gwen Koehn. Personal graveside services were held at Greenwood
Cemetery with her close family in attendance. Memorials are suggested
to Caring Hands Humane Society and may be sent in care of Petersen
Funeral Home.
Condolences may be left at
www.petersenfamilyfuneralhome.com
