Malissa Stratton

MALISSA L. STRATTON

Mount Vernon

Malissa L. Stratton, 48, of Mount Vernon, passed away with Stephen and Spencer by her side at University of Iowa Hospice on Wednesday, Feb. 3, 2016, after a long illness. Family and friends will gather from 1 to 3 p.m. Saturday, Feb. 6, at Stewart Baxter Funeral & Memorial Services, Mount Vernon.

Malissa was born Sept. 25, 1967, in Iowa City, Iowa, the daughter of Wayne and Janis (Parizek) Stratton. She graduated from Clear Creek High School in 1986. Malissa played many sports in high school, but especially excelled as a softball catcher. She carried that love of sports with her throughout life. She was a big supporter of youth sports, especially when it came to her son Spencer's baseball and football teams.

She had a grand smile, intoxicating laugh and a generous, compassionate heart. She would take in any stranger and make them her friend, and give shelter to any lost dog or cat.

Above all things, Malissa enjoyed her life, family and friends. She will be greatly missed and her memory will be cherished by all who knew and loved her.

Survivors include her family, Stephen Drahos, and son, Spencer Drahos, both of Mount Vernon, and Dylan (Faith) Drahos of Marion; her mother, Janis Stratton; brothers, Steve (June) Stratton of Ely and Mark Stratton of Coralville; sisters, Susan (Perry) Falvo of Plano, Texas, and Gerrie (Tom) Lueck of Cedar Rapids; many nieces and nephews; and extended family, Paul (Jeanene) Drahos and Sylvester "Sub" (Patricia) Drahos, both of Cedar Rapids, and Kathryn (Larry) Risius of Lafayette, Colo.

Malissa was preceded in death by her father, Wayne; and sister, Kathy.

Memorial donations may be made in Malissa's memory to the Center for Digestive Diseases at University of Iowa Hospitals and Clinics.

Please share your memories and condolences with Malissa's family on her tribute wall at www.stewartbaxter.com under obituaries.