Louima K. Strucely's Obituary
Lou Strucely, born Louima Kienitz to Fred Kienitz and Henrietta Bohne in Riesel, Texas on June 1, 1924 was the second of 4 children. At 8 years old she saw her mom off to Heaven. As the only daughter in her teen years she attended Waco High School and cared for their home, her dad and brothers as they worked in their auto mechanics garage. She loved learning to tap dance and sew. Early in her career she sold hats, was a bookkeeper for a plumbing supply, and managed payroll for an oil company.
She moved to Dallas with a friend and very soon after, began to attend worship and fellowship at Zion Lutheran Church where she met Paul. On November 21, 1953, she and Paul Nicholas Strucely were married in her home church in Waco. Soon they would be parents to 5 children and would open their own business in their home, Supercrafters Company, she was proud to be the Vice President.
The privilege and calling she enjoyed most, was being a mom, caring for home and family as they grew, sharing her love for sewing, cooking, gardening, and she was always ready to play a game! She and Paul served together in the Braille ministry for many years and she enjoyed sewing and fellowship with the Quilting Guild. In retirement they enjoyed travel, concerts by the Dallas Symphony Orchestra, and time with family including their 14 grandchildren and 29 great grandchildren.
She loved working in her yard, seeing new bulbs blossom each spring. She loved singing hymns, looked forward to worship each week and her life taught us to love and trust God with our lives. Up until her 97th year she continued to maintain life for the two of them in their own home. Over this last year together they enjoyed the community of senior living. She saw Paul off to Heaven in December 2022. On Valentines’ Day 2023 she said she was ready to go and be with him, and indeed God heard the desires of her heart as she went to sleep on the evening of February 20, 2023 and woke up in the arms of Jesus. She was 98 years old.
Her legacy lives on in their 5 children: Ann Sowders, Janet Schwarz and husband Gary: Nick Strucely and wife Cheryl,: Ruth Graupman and Husband Mark:, and Cherie Stone and husband Carter; and 12 grandchildren and 27 great grandchildren.
She is reunited in heavenly fellowship with her husband Paul; Father and Mother, Fred and Henrietta; three brothers: Wilburn, Edwin, and Louis; sister: Hattie; daughter: Christene; son-in-law: Clyde Sowders; grandson: Adam Sowders; great grandson: Chase Sowders; great granddaughter: Emma Carroll. We praise God for her love of life and the design he created in her that lives on in our lives!
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