Patricia "Jan" Janice Stricker

Patricia “Jan” Stricker, age 91, went to be with her lord and savior on August 15, 2026, of natural causes after a period of decline. She was born in Bartholomew, IN to the late, Roland and Irma Crawford on November 12, 1934 and grew up in Columbus IN. After her marriage, she lived with her husband Jim and their family in TX, PA, MN, MI, Germany and Chesterton, IN where she taught for many years and finished raising their family. After retirement, Jan and her husband moved to Cary, NC to be with their oldest daughter’s family, and later, Jan moved to Apex, NC after the passing of Jim.

Jan loved children and wanted to be a teacher at an early age. She became the first person in her family to go to college and selected Ball State University and graduated with an B.S. in Education. At college, she joined the Chi Omega sorority and was a Ball State’s Majorette, twirling a baton with the marching band. It was at Ball State where she met her husband Jim Stricker, and got “Pinned”, and the following year was married on her Easter break of her Junior year on April 10, 1954. After graduation, she started her career in teaching spanning 30+ years, and she taught in all the locations that the Air Force had moved them. She even established the first kindergarten on the Army post in Fulda, Germany in the basement of Base Housing and enjoyed every moment teaching the children. Years later, her last teaching job was an aide for preschool at the Kirk of Kildaire, a Presbyterian church in Cary.

Jan also had a passion for music, singing and playing the piano and she used those skills daily with her students. Always involved in lots of activities, she sang in many of our church’s choirs along the way, including many years with the Apex United Methodist Church. She also joined the Peak City Singers at the Senior Community Center in Apex for years, entertaining other Assistance Living facilities, Christmas programs and Spring concerts for the community and played the tones at Cambridge Village an Independent facility where she resided for 5 years. Jan’s other passion was decorating her house for all the holidays and seasons, a skill she developed during years of teaching to the delight of her family and friends. Reading was another favorite pastime and spending as much time as possible with her family whom she loved dearly and being involved with her church. During her years of marriage, she enjoyed many social events at the Officers Club, did lots of traveling, loved to dance including square dancing, skiing, and camping with family and friends. In Chesterton, IN she became a member of the Tri Kappa organization and participated in all their events. Jan was the “glue” of her family and will be solely missed by everyone! May she rest in peace after a full, wonderful and blessed life.

In addition to her parents, she is preceded in death by her husband, James “Jim” O. Stricker; and good friend Jim Bedotto. Jan will be lovingly remembered by her daughters, Joy Edwards (Ivan) of Apex, NC and Jill Hanson (Wayne) of Montrose, CO; son, Jeff Stricker (Jillian) of Chesterton, IN; grandchildren, Avery Edwards (Rochelle) of Apex, NC, Kian Edwards (Future Daughter-In- Law Allie Chastain) of Apex, NC, Ryan Hanson (Cyrina) of Montrose, CO, Holly Hanson of Montrose, CO, Emma Stricker of Denver, CO, Samuel Stricker of Chesterton, IN and Audrey Stricker of Chesterton, IN; great grandchildren, Ethan Edwards and Logan Edwards both of Apex, NC, Audrey Chastain of Apex, NC and Nolan Hanson and Joseph Hanson both of Montrose, CO; sisters, Julia Gray (Bob Serpa) of IN and FL and Beth Stevenson (Jerry) of Midlothian, VA; and many nieces and nephews.

Family will receive friends and guests on Saturday, August 29, 2026, from 10:00 AM to 11:00 AM in Crossroads at Apex United Methodist Church with a funeral service to follow at 11:00 AM. She will be laid to rest after the service at Wake Memorial Park, Cary, NC.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions can be donated to the Apex United Methodist Church 100 S. Hughes Street, Apex, NC 27502 or to the Shriners, donate.shrinerschildrens.org.

Fond memories and expressions of sympathy can be shared below within “Add a Memory” for the Stricker family.