IN MEMORIAM
EXPANDED EULOGIES
Clarence Stroda
A funeral Mass for Clarence Joseph Stroda, who was called home to God on Thursday, Sept. 16, 2021, at the age of 90. will be at 10 a.m. Wednesday, Sept. 22, at St. Phillip’ Catholic Church in Hope.
Visitation and rosary were Tuesday. Interment will be at the church cemetery with a luncheon afterward at the parish hall.
A prominent cattleman, farmer, devoted husband and loving father, he passed away peacefully at Chapman Valley Manor in Chapman after a brief illness.
Clarence was born Jan. 6, 1931, on his family’s farm near Hope to Vernon Peter Stroda and Gladys (Smith) Stroda.
The fifth of six children, Clarence worked the farm and developed a life-long passion for farming and ranching.
He graduated from Hope High School in 1948. He met the love of his life at a dance in Pilsen and married Joan M. Jirak in 1950. The couple spent their entire married life on a farm outside Hope, where they raised five children, went dancing frequently, and enjoyed fishing across the U.S. and up into Canada.
A man who believed in civic responsibility, Clarence served on the school boards of Navarre Grade School and Dickinson County Community High School in Chapman.
He sat on the board of directors for the Navarre Farmers Union Cooperative Association, served on the Parish Council for St. Phillip Catholic Church, and was a long-time member of the Navarre Lions Club.
Clarence was preceded in death by his parents; sisters Ethel and Dorothy, who died in infancy; brothers Max James Stroda and Boyd Vernon Stroda; his “pretty lady” wife, Joan (Jirak) Stroda; beloved grandson Brandon Stroda; and son-in-law David MacDonald.
Survivors include his children, Gregory (and wife Theresa) Stroda of Chapman, Patricia MacDonald of Enterprise, Robert (and wife TeCoa) Stroda of Chapman, Gary (and wife Connie) Stroda of Hope, and Mark (and wife Rachel) Stroda of Fort Smith, Montana.
Other survivors are his sister, Edna Polston of Hope, and grandchildren Angela Stroda, Marcia (and husband Scott) McKenzie, Shannon (and husband Dan) Demory, Melinda Stroda, Hillary (and husband Matthew) Erickson, Matthew (and wife Bethanie) Krinhop. Katherine (and husband Tony) Hill, Kyle (and wife Amber) Stroda, Kelly (and husband Terry) Scoby, Nichole (and husband Chris) Kelly.
He also is survived by step-grandchildren Robin Allison, Matt Hoffman, Casey Hoffman, Ty Seibert, Teagan Seibert, and Tucker Seibert-Stroda as well as 15 great-grandchildren.
Memorial contributions may be made in Joan’s name to Birthright, Catholic Charities, or the St. Phillip Cemetery Fund and may be sent in care of the Martin-Becker-Carlson Funeral Home, 414 NW 3rd St, Abilene KS 67410. Condolences may be sent to the family at www.martinbeckercarlson.com.