Luree Straup's Obituary
Luree Straup, 96 of Allerton passed away on August 14, 2017 at Corydon Specialty Care. Jennie Ella Luree (Baker) Straup was born on the family farm west of Allerton on October 29, 1920. Her parents were Halleck Floyd and Ufa May (Elder) Baker. Luree attended Higley Grade School and graduated from Allerton High School on May 14, 1937. She was Salutatorian of her senior class. She completed a two year elementary course from Simpson College on June 4, 1939. She also took classes at Drake University. In September of 1939 she began her teaching career at Melcher, IA. She also taught at Chariton, Dallas, Altoona, and ended her teaching career at Allerton in 1964. She dearly loved her students. On May 4, 1946 she married Jesse "Jake" Clair Straup of Melcher. They lived in Melcher, Newton, Altoona, and Chariton. In 1952 they purchased a farm southwest of Allerton where they lived for twelve years. They also lived in Colorado Springs, Cottonwood, AZ and returned to Allerton in 1975. In Colorado, Luree worked for JC Penney's department store and was manager of the Salvation Army store for eight years. She was a member of the Presbyterian Church in Colorado Springs and in Allerton. She served as an elder, deacon, trustee, Sunday school teacher, assistant church treasurer and was on the Remembrance Committee for over fifteen years. Luree served on the Library Board, was a member of Allerton P.E.O., and was a board member at the Prairie Trails Museum for eight years. In the 70's and 80's Jake and Luree spent five winters in Phoenix and Yuma, AZ. In 1987 she was chosen Good Neighbor of the month. After Jake passed away in 1993, Luree enjoyed traveling to all fifty states, Israel, Europe, Australia, New Zealand, Fiji, and most of the Canadian Provinces. She also took thirty bus tours. In 2011 the Session nominated Luree as the Outstanding Older Adult in the Des Moines Presbytery. The Task Force of Presbytery chose Luree for the award for her many contributions to the church. Luree enjoyed doing many things; making quilts, embroidering, crocheting, walking, gardening, collecting rocks, reading, and cooking (especially pies and angel food cakes). Preceding her in death was: parents, Halleck and Ufa, husband Jake, brother Ried and sister-in-law Dorotha Baker Carter. Surviving are her brother Keith (Nancy) Baker of Clive, nieces; Janet (Danny) Sheets of Indianola, Ellen Baker of Minneapolis, MN, and Molly Baker of Des Moines, nephew Kenny (Lisa) Baker of Fordland, MO, great nephews; Ried (Molly) Baker, and Garth Baker , and great great niece Jory Baker all of Columbia, MO. Funeral services will be 10:30 a.m. on Thursday, August 17, 2017 at Thomas Funeral Home in Allerton. Interment immediately following the service at the Allerton Cemetery. Visitation will be Wednesday, August 16, 2017 from 6:00-8:00 p.m. at Thomas Funeral Home in Allerton. Memorials may be directed to the Allerton Fire Department. Online condolences may be shared at www.thomasfh.com. To send flowers or a memorial gift to the family of Luree Straup please visit our Sympathy Store. Cemetery Details Allerton Cemetery 115th St. & King Road
Allerton, IA 50008 Visitation AUG 16. 6:00 PM - 8:00 PM (CDT) Thomas Funeral Homes-Allerton 100 S Wayne StAllerton, IA 50008[emailprotected] Funeral Service AUG 17. 10:30 AM (CDT) Thomas Funeral Homes-Allerton 100 S Wayne StAllerton, IA 50008[emailprotected]
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