Charles “Chuck” Paul Strain, 73 of Lytton, Iowa passed away Friday, November 5, 2021. He passed away at St. Anthony Regional Hospital in Carroll, Iowa after a very brief battle with liver cancer. Chuck Strain was born August 26, 1948, to parents Clyde and Margaret (Eshbaugh) Strain. Chuck was raised and continued to live on the family farm just east of Lytton. He attended Lytton Community School and graduated in 1966.
Funeral services will be held at 10:30 a.m, Tuesday, November 9, 2021, at the First Christian Church in Sac City, IA with Reverend Mark MacWhorter officaiting. Burial will take place at the Cedar Cemetery in rural Sac City, IA. Visitation will be held Monday evening 5:00 – 7:00 p.m., at the Farber & Otteman Funeral Home in Sac City, IA.
After graduation, Chuck was employed by Noble Manufacturing in Sac City. From 1968-1970 Chuck proudly served his country in the U.S. Army including a tour in Korea. After his honorable discharge, he began a career in printing. His printing career included working at the Sac Sun, Tri-County Special, and many years at Buena Vista Stationery and Printing in Storm Lake. Besides working full-time, he lived with and cared for his mother, Margaret. In his younger days, he enjoyed bowling on a team with his brother, Frank. Chuck was also a talented woodworker. He enjoyed making toys for children of all ages including his thirteen nieces and nephews. He often exhibited his creations at local craft fairs with good friend Eunice Ellerbrock which included unique items for household use.
On August 26, 2003, Chuck married the love of his life, Jeannette Olson of Sac City. They enjoyed fun-filled trips together, many of them included a bicycle ride! Memorable trips included Oregon, California, Wisconsin, and more. The couple enjoyed participating in community events together. You may have seen them riding bikes in the annual Gala Days Parade!
Chuck’s strong faith in God was important in his life. He was baptized and grew up in the Presbyterian Church. He was always thankful and grateful for what the Lord provided and reminded others how blessed we truly are. He demonstrated his faith by serving others in many ways. He was an active member of the First Christian Church in Sac City. He had a humble heart and would lend a helping hand, encouraging words, and share a laugh. A person could smile and feel a bit better after having a chat with him. Chuck was genuinely a happy and thankful soul.
Chuck had a heart for service. He was an active member of the American Legion for over 50 years. He served at the Lytton Legion Post #546 as Post Adjutant. He participated in many military funerals and helped decorate veterans’ graves every Memorial Day. He was part of the Post color guard which led the annual Gala Days Parades and was a big part of Lytton Town Night Bingo and the annual Gala Days Bingo Stand.
Chuck was an active person and enjoyed outdoor activities. His love of nature included rafting down the Raccoon River, camping, gardening, and sharing fresh produce with many others. For holidays and special occasions, he and Jeannette enjoyed baking, decorating, and delivering cookies and candies. Potato candy, spritz, and pinwheel cookies were a Strain family tradition!
Chuck was also the official founder, organizer, and t-shirt designer of the Strain Tour de Farm bicycle ride. This annual event (which ran continuously for over 30 years) was not limited to just the Strain family. This round trip, 30-mile bike ride included an early morning start, breakfast, Pepsi, and monster cookies, followed by a barbeque. This ride always guaranteed friends, family, food, and fun!
He would often offer words of encouragement and wanted people to be more kind to one another. Although he had a serious side, Chuck was a quick-witted prankster! His sense of humor shined through the jokes and stories he often shared. His favorite pastime was teasing and playing practical jokes. These antics will not be forgotten by his nieces and nephews! His Chuck-isms are pure nuggets of wisdom. Time spent with Chuck was often full of fun, joy, and laughter!
Chuck was one-of-a-kind. He genuinely cared for and wished the best for everyone. He truly believed in these words: Be kind whenever possible…and it’s ALWAYS possible!
Chuck was a devoted husband, brother, uncle, step-father, son-in-law, coworker, and friend to many. He will be dearly missed by all who knew and loved him.
Those left to cherish his memory include his wife Jeannette, mother-in-law Ila Robison, sister Doris (Richard “Dick”) Hugg, brother Frank Strain, two brothers-in-law Scott (Nancy) and Ray and their families, three stepsons Jim, Eric (Karol) and Mark, step-grandson Luke, and many special nieces and nephews, extended family members, co-workers and friends.
Chuck was preceded in death by his parents Clyde and Margaret (Esbaugh) Strain, father-in-law Charles Robison, sister Alice and brother-in-law Merlin Gregg, sister-in-law Mignon Strain, nephew Wesley Gregg, and step-daughter Diana Olson.
Funeral services will be held at 10:30 a.m, Tuesday, November 9, 2021, at the First Christian Church in Sac City, IA with Reverend Mark MacWhorter officaiting. Burial will take place at the Cedar Cemetery in rural Sac City, IA. Visitation will be held Monday evening 5:00 – 7:00 p.m., at the Farber & Otteman Funeral Home in Sac City, IA.
After graduation, Chuck was employed by Noble Manufacturing in Sac City. From 1968-1970 Chuck proudly served his country in the U.S. Army including a tour in Korea. After his honorable discharge, he began a career in printing. His printing career included working at the Sac Sun, Tri-County Special, and many years at Buena Vista Stationery and Printing in Storm Lake. Besides working full-time, he lived with and cared for his mother, Margaret. In his younger days, he enjoyed bowling on a team with his brother, Frank. Chuck was also a talented woodworker. He enjoyed making toys for children of all ages including his thirteen nieces and nephews. He often exhibited his creations at local craft fairs with good friend Eunice Ellerbrock which included unique items for household use.
On August 26, 2003, Chuck married the love of his life, Jeannette Olson of Sac City. They enjoyed fun-filled trips together, many of them included a bicycle ride! Memorable trips included Oregon, California, Wisconsin, and more. The couple enjoyed participating in community events together. You may have seen them riding bikes in the annual Gala Days Parade!
Chuck’s strong faith in God was important in his life. He was baptized and grew up in the Presbyterian Church. He was always thankful and grateful for what the Lord provided and reminded others how blessed we truly are. He demonstrated his faith by serving others in many ways. He was an active member of the First Christian Church in Sac City. He had a humble heart and would lend a helping hand, encouraging words, and share a laugh. A person could smile and feel a bit better after having a chat with him. Chuck was genuinely a happy and thankful soul.
Chuck had a heart for service. He was an active member of the American Legion for over 50 years. He served at the Lytton Legion Post #546 as Post Adjutant. He participated in many military funerals and helped decorate veterans’ graves every Memorial Day. He was part of the Post color guard which led the annual Gala Days Parades and was a big part of Lytton Town Night Bingo and the annual Gala Days Bingo Stand.
Chuck was an active person and enjoyed outdoor activities. His love of nature included rafting down the Raccoon River, camping, gardening, and sharing fresh produce with many others. For holidays and special occasions, he and Jeannette enjoyed baking, decorating, and delivering cookies and candies. Potato candy, spritz, and pinwheel cookies were a Strain family tradition!
Chuck was also the official founder, organizer, and t-shirt designer of the Strain Tour de Farm bicycle ride. This annual event (which ran continuously for over 30 years) was not limited to just the Strain family. This round trip, 30-mile bike ride included an early morning start, breakfast, Pepsi, and monster cookies, followed by a barbeque. This ride always guaranteed friends, family, food, and fun!
He would often offer words of encouragement and wanted people to be more kind to one another. Although he had a serious side, Chuck was a quick-witted prankster! His sense of humor shined through the jokes and stories he often shared. His favorite pastime was teasing and playing practical jokes. These antics will not be forgotten by his nieces and nephews! His Chuck-isms are pure nuggets of wisdom. Time spent with Chuck was often full of fun, joy, and laughter!
Chuck was one-of-a-kind. He genuinely cared for and wished the best for everyone. He truly believed in these words: Be kind whenever possible…and it’s ALWAYS possible!
Chuck was a devoted husband, brother, uncle, step-father, son-in-law, coworker, and friend to many. He will be dearly missed by all who knew and loved him.
Those left to cherish his memory include his wife Jeannette, mother-in-law Ila Robison, sister Doris (Richard “Dick”) Hugg, brother Frank Strain, two brothers-in-law Scott (Nancy) and Ray and their families, three stepsons Jim, Eric (Karol) and Mark, step-grandson Luke, and many special nieces and nephews, extended family members, co-workers and friends.
Chuck was preceded in death by his parents Clyde and Margaret (Esbaugh) Strain, father-in-law Charles Robison, sister Alice and brother-in-law Merlin Gregg, sister-in-law Mignon Strain, nephew Wesley Gregg, and step-daughter Diana Olson.
