Emma Lue Strahle

On March 23rd in Idaho, Emma Lue Strahle joyously celebrated her 95th birthday with the enthusiastic participation of all her descendants. One week later, on March 30th, she quietly passed away due to age-related health issues. Emma Lue Strahle was born on March 23, 1923 in Stanton, Nebraska, the daughter of Henry J. Shultz and Lou Chace Shultz.

She spent her childhood in Stanton, then moved to Missouri at age 17 to attend Lindenwood College. As a member of the Greatest Generation, she answered her country’s call to contribute to the World War II war effort. Consequently, she left college and moved to Lincoln, Nebraska, in order to obtain her registered nursing degree. After graduating in 1945, she worked as a nurse caring for injured WWII soldiers.

In 1948, she married her childhood neighbor, Ronald Strahle. They settled in Fort Collins, Colorado where Emma Lue remained until the last year of her life. In Fort Collins, the couple had three children—two girls and a boy. In addition to raising her children and working, Emma Lue volunteered in local politics, and was active in several organizations. In particular, she was a member of Birthday Club for over 60 years.

In addition, she was a bang-up knitter. Emma Lue’s greatest passion was travel. She traveled throughout the United States and all over the world, usually with her sister, Win. Stateside, Emma Lue and Win traveled in their much loved RVs--the Hog’s Head (named after Huckleberry Finn’s outdoor shelter) and the Bismobile (it was pink). Abroad, the two visited six out of seven continents including such destinations as Machu Pichu, the Amazon, the game reserves of Africa, the South Sea Islands, Siberia, Australia, and Israel as well as many, many more.

Emma Lue was a member of the Baha'i faith. She was deeply committed to her faith, and was active in the Fort Collins Baha’i community for close to 50 years. She leaves behind many cherished Baha'i friends. In 2017 Emma Lue moved to Idaho Falls to be closer to her daughter. In death, she will be returned to her home, Fort Collins.

Emma Lue was preceded in death by her parents, her sisters Josephine Shultz and Win Gill, and her cherished son-in-law, Michael McGloin. She is survived by her three children, Wynn Strahle of Colorado, Ann Craun of Idaho, and Richard Strahle of Colorado; her son-in-law, Ric Craun; and by her four grandchildren, Cashel, Mitchel, Brendan, and Elizabeth; her niece, Jennifer Chace and her husband Chris Kinderknecht, her nephew, Jerry Gill and his wife Diane Gill; and a myriad of Colorado friends and Baha’is.

Funeral services will be held at 11:00am on Friday, May 25, 2018 at Allnutt Funeral Service, Fort Collins. In lieu of flowers, donations, or cards, the family requests that you send prayers on Emma Lue's behalf and hold her memory in your heart.