John Lee Strahn, age 65 of Yarmouth, passed away on December 1, 2015.  He was a source of strength and support to those around him throughout his life, especially during his 18 year battle with cancer, and his spirit was unbreakable to the end. 
 
John was born in Japan and moved to the United States at the age of five.  He was a 1968 graduate of Burlington High School.  On May 12, 1973 he married Lana Koger in Burlington. John was an electrician by trade and worked at Case New Holland for over 30 years. Upon his “retirement,” he initially focused his energy on his business, Reboot Computer Service, and then returned to work full-time as the Maintenance and Facilities Manager at Hawkeye Pedershaab.

John was well known for his giving nature and friendly personality.  He could construct anything, fix everything, and if he couldn’t fix it, then the odds were high it wasn’t fixable. He had a thirst for knowledge and was a jack-of-all-trades.   Family and friends were the most important part of John’s life, and his greatest happiness came from spending time with those he loved.  He created a paradise for his grandchildren and spent numerous hours riding four wheelers, fishing, swimming in the pond, and teaching them life lessons.  He was, and will remain, their hero.

Throughout his life, John taught us many important things: leave things better than you found them, slow down, do it right the first time, enjoy life, and whiskey never hurts.
John was preceded in death by his parents, Carl and Kuni Strahn, and one brother, Mike.  He is survived by his wife, Lana, of Yarmouth; his daughter, Brooke Strahn-Koller, and son-in-law, Jake Koller, of Coralville; his son, Jesse Strahn, and daughter-in-law, Kelly Strahn, of Collinsville, Oklahoma; and three grandsons: Mason, Easton, and Sutton Koller, of Coralville.

John had an immense affection and appreciation of animals and has established memorials for the Des Moines County Humane Society and Heavenly Pet Sanctuary.  No services are scheduled at this time but a celebration of life will be announced at a later date. Cremation has been entrusted to the care of Prugh~Thielen Crematory.

John will most be remembered by the fact he always contributed much more to life and living than he took. His determination, fight, and fervor will continue to inspire those who knew him.

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