Jeremy Struemph

The Celebration of Life service for Jeremy will take place at 1 PM on Sunday, September 4 in the Woodruff Auditorium on the 5th Floor of the KU Student Union Building (1301 Jayhawk Blvd, Lawrence, KS 66045). Parking is available in the garage behind the Union. The University is opening the Union just for us since this is a holiday weekend, so only two entrances will be open, the entrance from the parking garage and the front entrance on Jayhawk Blvd by the Jayhawk statue. This is not a formal affair, but rather a gathering of all who love him to come together in remembrance and to remind each other how lucky we all were to have known him. With that sentiment, please dress to your comfort, but I would encourage as many funny t-shirts, cargo shorts, and sandals (with socks!) as possible to remind us all of Jeremy and to make me smile. In lieu of sending flowers, please just continue to embody the man we all know and love. Be kind to each other, hug someone (or everyone!), and be generous and sincere with your love every day. At the service, connect with each other and smile and laugh at the stories and memories we can share about Jeremy. That is what will make this day a celebration of memories, and that is what will help us find gratitude through the grief. I am grateful that he was my husband, and I am grateful for all of you. So much love and hugs to you all. Baby girl and I hope to see you there.

Jeremy Herbert Struemph, 36, of Overland Park, Kansas passed away in his sleep on August 17, 2016.

Born November 18, 1979, Jeremy was the youngest of three siblings and the only son to Herbert and Patricia (Schulte) Struemph. He was joined in marriage to Briana O’Sullivan on September 13, 2013.

Growing up in the towns of St. Elizabeth and Freeburg, Missouri, as well as St. Mary’s, Kansas, Jeremy was active in football, cross country, wrestling, and debate while attending school. After graduating from St. Mary’s High School in 1998, he attended the University of Kansas at Lawrence. He graduated from KU with dual degrees in political science and business administration.

Jeremy was a KSHSAA registered wrestling official for 18 years. In 2014, he was recognized for his wrestling officiating when was named the “Kansas Wrestling Official of the Year.” He was also a member of the Kansas Crew rowing team, going on to coach at KU for more than a decade.

Jeremy was an avid skydiver. Shortly after his first jump in 2004 he went on to obtain his skydiving license. Additionally, he was a United States Parachute Association Coach, Accelerated Freefall Instructor, Tandem Instructor, Freefall Photographer, and Professional Exhibition Demo Jumper. With over 3,000 aircraft jumps and 600 BASE jumps under his belt, he always looked for ways to help others with his craft. In 2007, he set the record for the state of Kansas for the most jumps in one day at 53, raising funds and awareness about domestic violence. Then in 2010, he broke his own record by jumping 101 times in one day, raising money and awareness for pancreatic cancer research. One of his most distinguished contributions was taking those with special needs, such as quadriplegic or disabled individuals, for tandem skydives.

His passion for flight led him to the position he held at the time of his passing—flight instructor for iFLY Indoor Skydiving in Kansas City. He continued his history of altruism at the company, offering up his time and knowledge to help those in need experience the thrill of freefall.

Jeremy is preceded in death by his mother, Patricia D. Struemph; his paternal grandparents, Joe and Jennie (Borgmeyer) Struemph of Freeburg, Missouri; and his maternal grandparents, August and Flora (McDonald) Schulte of Argyle, Missouri.

He leaves behind his wife, Bri, and their unborn baby girl; his father, Herbert B. Struemph of Koeltztown; his two sisters, Kimberly Utt and Sherri Lynn Hazell; his three nieces, Kaitlyn Utt, Reagan Hazell, and Reese Hazell; and one nephew, Corporal Nathan Utt of the United States Marine Corps.

Jeremy lived his life with passion, but always put others’ needs ahead of his own. He was a friend, a mentor, an inspiration to so many souls around him. He was kind and sensitive, but was never afraid to challenge those he came in contact with to pursue and achieve their own dreams, no matter how daunting. He was deeply loved, and will be profoundly missed by so many.

Services for Jeremy will be held at 11 a.m. on Saturday, September 10, at St. Boniface Catholic Church in Koeltztown, Missouri, with a gathering to follow at the VFW Hall in Argyle, Missouri.

In lieu of sending flowers, please just continue to embody this good soul by being kind to others, hugging someone you love, and practicing generosity and sincerity each day. At the Service, connect with each other to share a smile and a laugh over some of the wonderful stories and memories we have of Jeremy.