Elizabeth Strueh

Elizabeth Mary Helen Rabe Strueh, 95, was born on September 22, 1923 and left this earth to join her Heavenly Family on December 30th, 2018. Born in Cincinnati, Ohio to William Rabe and Emma Kruger Rabe, Betty was the youngest of seven children. This remarkable family of siblings passed from this earth in the order of their birth with Betty ending the Greatest Generation. As a child of the Great Depression, Betty and her family endured the hardships that were common during that time. Her family moved from Cincinnati to Evansville, Indiana in search of employment and it was there that she would spend a long and productive life devoted to her family, her church, and her community. After graduating from Redeemer Lutheran grade school, F.J. Reitz High School and Lockyear’s Business College, she met a young farmer, Don Strueh. They were married on New Year's Day, 1946. Don and Betty purchased Don's family home farm that had been in the Strueh family since 1860. There they raised their family of three children, Terry {Karen} Strueh, Timothy {Barbara} Strueh, and Sylvia Gail {Scott} Bechtel. Don passed away on May 31, 2015 prior to their 70th anniversary. Active in her community in many ways, Betty served for decades as a Sunday School teacher, Bible School Director, and other service and leadership roles at Salem UCC Heusler. Her children were also active in 4-H each completing ten years as did all seven of her grandchildren. Among her many volunteer activities, Betty served as a 4-H Club leader for many years. Education was always a priority for Don and Betty and among their proudest accomplishments were that all three children are Purdue graduates. The count now stands at 19 Purdue degrees in their immediate family. In addition to her three children, other survivors include grandchildren, Dr Kurt (Lynn) Strueh, Sarah (Scott) Strueh Akin, Brandon (Fernanda) Bechtel, Kristen (Keith) Bechtel Mears, Adam (Haley) Bechtel, and Denise (Daniel) Strueh Niblick. Other survivors include 10 great-grandchildren, sister-in-law Viola Lutz, brother-in-law Gilbert (Wilma) Strueh and many nieces and nephews. She is preceded in death by her husband, Donald, her beloved granddaughter Lisa Strueh, brothers Elmer, William, and Frederick Rabe, and sisters Irma Zike, Frieda Kramer, and Sylvia File. Since making her home in Lafayette the last few years due to declining health, she has been cared for by a remarkable group of care givers. The family sincerely thank all of them for their loving assistance. Funeral Services will be held 11:00 a.m. Saturday, January 5, 2019 at Salem UCC, Heusler Church. Friends may Visit 4-8 p.m. Friday January 4, 2019 At Alexander West Chapel in Evansville and Saturday 10 a.m. until service time at the Church. Memorial contributions may be made to Salem UCC church.