Margaret Strabala

MARGARET STRABALA

Oxford

Margaret Ann Strabala, 66, died suddenly Sunday, Jan. 4, 2015, at home. Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated at 10 a.m. Friday, Jan. 9, at St. Mary's Catholic Church in Oxford with Father Edmond Dunn officiating. Graveside services will be at 1:30 p.m. Friday at St. Vincent's Cemetery in rural Riverside. Visitation will be from 4 to 7 p.m. Thursday at the church.

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be directed to the Margaret Ann Strabala Memorial Fund or Iowa City Hospice.

Margaret was born Aug. 21, 1948, in Emmetsburg, the daughter of Marvin and Mary Carpenter Wright. She attended Mount Mercy College and received her bachelor's degree in social work and her bachelor's of science degree in nursing from the University of Iowa. On Nov. 28, 1970, Margaret married Victor R. Strabala at St. Matthew's Church in Cedar Rapids.

Margaret loved nursing. She was a gifted caregiver, especially talented at assisting people with medical care in their homes. She worked for local health care agencies such as Home Safe and VNA. Margaret was a nurse at the VA for 20 years, where she lovingly cared for veterans and later at Pleasantview Home, where she was recognized by the UI College of Nursing as mentor to younger nurses. She was certified in home health care and geriatric nursing.

Margaret was proud of her Irish heritage. She was a member of St. Mary's Church and volunteered at the Oxford Public Library. She was a sports enthusiast, especially Hawkeye sports, and ran in numerous events including the BIX which she participated in for over 30 years. Margaret was an avid reader and liked to garden, bake and preserve vegetables and fruits. Margaret loved art and was a member of the Art Institute of Chicago. She was influential in nurturing her nieces and nephews in the arts, education and nursing.

Survivors include her loving husband Victor; special family friends, Luke Duttlinger and Mike Bopp; her siblings, Donna (Rudy) Anthofer of Audubon, Ruth Kennett of Des Moines, Kathy (Dean) Gunderson of Cylinder and Dan (Teresa) Wright of Columbia, Mo.; brothers and sisters-in-law, Sue Wright, Regina Strabala, Janet (Sylvester) Fritz, Joan Strabala, Kevin Strabala, Sheila (Sam) Gerot and Lenore (Gustavo) Manrique; and numerous aunts, uncles, nieces, nephews and extended family.

Margaret was preceded in death by her parents; her brother, Dale; nephew, Dave Anthofer; and brother-in-law, Martin Strabala.

Online condolences may be sent to www.lensing

funeral.com.