She became orphaned at the age of thirteen.
During her 18th year, she was sponsored by an Aunt and Uncle to come to the United States for what was to be a limited time; but after so much time living in active war and war torn zones, she decided to stay In the US and become an American Citizen. She received a degree from Schiller Ober Schule in Dortmund and, after coming to the US, she eventually became a bookkeeper where she plied her skills at Michael's Chevrolet, American Sheet Metal and Sauce for the Goose.
Her true passion was volunteering where she spent numerous hours at places like Love, Inc., Kaiser, GAP ministries and Northwest Church. Her daughter jokes that she had a rolodex card filled on both sides with days of the week and times of each day where she could reach her mother at the various places she volunteered after retiring.
One of her dear friends describes her as the "sweetest feisty" lady they knew. She also had a very dry, but great sense of humor.
She was preceded in death by her 2nd husband, Harry Maroukian and her 1st husband, Fay Strain and their son Keith Strain.
She is survived by her loving daughter Sheryl Strain and her precious fur grandbabies.
A Celebration of Rotraud's life will be announced at a later date.
