Lyle "Ben" Strait

June 14, 1933 - August 8, 2018

Lyle "Ben" Strait, age 85, of Storm Lake, Iowa died August 8, 2018 at Good Samaritan Society in Holstein, Iowa. Memorial services will take place Saturday, August 18, 2018 at 11:00 a.m. at the United Methodist Church in Storm Lake. Visitation will take place Friday, August 17, 2018 from 6-8:00 p.m. at the Fratzke & Jensen Funeral Home in Storm Lake. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to the Alzheimer's Association or the United Methodist Church in Storm Lake. The Fratzke & Jensen Funeral Home in Storm Lake is in charge of the arrangements. He was born June 14, 1933, on Flag Day in Rock Rapids, IA, to Lee and Lily (Bauchspies) Strait. His children always remembered his birthday after seeing all the flags flying. He was baptized and confirmed into the Methodist Church as a youth and remained an active member all his life. He attended school in Rock Rapids, IA, graduating in 1951. Following high school, he worked for the Bell telephone company on a line crew. In 1953 he was called to serve in the U.S. Army. He spent 6 months training at Fort Monmouth, New Jersey, in communications. He then shipped to Korea where he was assigned to be the company clerk because he could type. He was honorably discharged in 1955 to resume his work with Northwestern Bell. On August 19th, 1956, Ben married Shirley Heeren at the Rock Rapids Methodist Church. Shortly after, he accepted a position as a combination man in Hawarden, IA, where the couple spent the next 10 years, adding 3 children to their family. He enjoyed remodeling their home and began a love of camping and traveling with his family. He was also active in the Jaycees and enjoyed bowling and golf. He was especially proud of the 2 holes-in-one he managed to get over the years he played the sport. In 1966, the family moved to Storm Lake, IA, where Ben was promoted to central office foreman. Ben was a lifetime member of the Pioneers, a service group for the telephone company. In 1970, a daughter was welcomed into the family. In 1990, he accepted early retirement from the telephone company and drove a school bus for five years. He was also a member of the Elks, VFW, and the Lions Club, where he served for several years as treasurer, and was a member of the Alta Golf and Country Club. He had always wanted to go on RAGBRAI, so at the age of 64, a friend talked him into going. He completed the trip but complained his tent leaked and that he needed better equipment. He added more gears to his bike, got a new tent, and the following year accomplished his second RAGBRAI experience. Then, just for fun, he did it one more time in 1999 at the age of 66. Ben and Shirley loved to travel. During their retirement years, they went on several bus trips, especially enjoying their voyages to Alaska and New Orleans. They also became snow birds, flying south to Arizona regularly. He is survived by his wife, Shirley, of (almost) 62 years; children Rex Strait of Marion, IA; Randy Strait and his wife Sharon of Lexington IL; Nancy Bell and Thia Rose both of Iowa City, IA; grandchildren Rachael Bennett and husband David of Greenville S.C.; Michelle Strait of Marion, IA; Jessica Linville and husband Wes of Marion, IA; Adam Strait and wife Alissa of Chenoa, IL; Lisa Donovan and husband Tim of Normal, IL; Nate Strait and wife Melissa of Bartonville, IL; 10 great-grandchildren; sister in-law Kay Heeren of Overland Park, KS; brother in-law Vern Heeren of St. Paul, MN; nieces Cathy Van Meeteren, Pam Scheepstra, Mary Thomas, Anne Ageson; nephew Tom Tille; and other family members and a host of friends. Ben was preceded in death by his parents, sister Leota Tille and nephew Mark Tille.