Carolyn Marie Stratman

George, IA           Carolyn Marie Stratman, age 74, of George, IA died Wednesday, January 18, 2017 at Amara Hospice in Edinburg, TX. following an accident.        Funeral services will be 10:30 a.m. Tuesday, January 24, 2017 at First Baptist Church of George, with Rev. Mike Hagan, officiating.        Burial will follow in the Evergreen Lawn Cemetery at George, IA.        Visitation will be Monday, January 23rd from 4:00 – 8:00 p.m. with the family present from 6:00 – 8:00 p.m. at the Jurrens Funeral Home of George.        Carolyn Marie (Reemtsma) Stratman was born July 25, 1942, in Rock Rapids, IA. the daughter of Theodore and Louise (Cassens) Reemtsma. Carolyn accepted the Lord as her Savior at an early age and became a member of Tabernacle Baptist Church. Carolyn attended Midland #5 country school east of Rock Rapids and graduated from Central Lyon High School in Rock Rapids in 1960. She attended Technical school and worked at Quaker Oats in Rock Rapids for several years as a bookkeeper. She was united in marriage to George Stratman in 1962. They made their home in George for 7 years before moving to the family farm west of Little Rock, IA in 1969, where they farmed for 40 years together and she was actively involved in every aspect of the farming operation. In 2009, they moved off the farm and back to George. Carolyn was a loving wife, mother, and grandmother. She always had time to listen and had a God given gift of wisdom and hospitality. Her strong faith was an example for her children and her grandchildren and desired each of them to have an active relationship with the Lord. She was involved in various church activities, including AWANA, through the years and had a desire to share the gospel with anyone who was willing to listen. Carolyn lived an active lifestyle and loved the outdoors, taking walks, biking, and gardening. She loved spending time with her children and grandchildren as they were growing up. She loved taking them camping, attending their activities, or just visiting with them. She loved to fellowship and get plugged into many communities of people. Besides her immediate family, she had a special bond with her dear sisters and loved the weekend long family reunions each summer. She loved wintering in Alamo, Texas at Winter Ranch park, and was actively involved with the Red Hats group in George, IA. She had a love of southern gospel music and enjoyed visiting and playing cards or games with family and friends. George and Carolyn created many memories in their vacations over the years.        She is survived by her husband of 54 years George Stratman of George; Laverle (Sheri) Stratman of Little Rock, IA; Karen (Gary) Hielkema of Sibley, IA; Kristin (Jason) DeBoer of Sioux Center, IA; grandchildren, Garrison Hielkema of Ocheyedan, IA, Karissa (John) Lorenzen of Kirksville, MO, Kalsey Hielkema of Sibley, IA, Jacob, Mary, Emma and Gretchen Stratman of Little Rock, IA, Brookstin (Jordan) Halma of Inwood, IA, and Jack DeBoer of Sioux Center, IA; sisters, Eleanor DeBoer of Little Rock, IA; Leora Reemtsma of Rock Rapids, IA, and Linda (Lynn) Molendorp of Spirit Lake, IA; brothers, Vernon (Lavonne) Reemtsma of Sioux Falls, SD and Lynn (Jane) Reemtsma of Maple Grove, MN; sister-in-law, Thelma Razor of Ankeny, IA; brother-in-law, Fred (Wanda) Stratman of Sheldon, IA.      She was preceded in death by her parents, Theodore and Louise, her parents-in-law, Meinert and Mary Stratman along with many other beloved family members.