Berl Strayer

Berl Blaine Strayer, age 80 of Odell, Nebraska was born January 10 1928 in Seneca, Kansas and he died on March 26, 2008 peacefully at his home.

He was preceded in death by mother Lola VanWaning, brother, Ernie, sister Jean, and half-sister, Karen.

He is survived by wife Bonnie, daughters Lisa Spratt of Odell and Deanna Kimball of San Marcos, Ca., step-daugher and husband Cindy and Lee Miley of Beatrice, stepson and wife Kyle and Janice Duntz of rural Odell, 2 grandchildren, 6 step-grandchildren, and 9 step-great grandchildren, 3 half sisters Ruth and husband Dan Greenwood of Waukesha, Wisconsin, Viola Hamilton of Lawrence, Kansas, and Dellene and her husband
Jim Austerman of Clayton, Kansas.

He graduated from Mahaska, Kansas High School in 1945. He served in the U.S. Navy. He worked for the Lincoln Telephone and Telegraph Company in Fairbury and in Crete for 35 years. He retired from the phone company in 1985. In 1987, he and Bonnie moved to Odell where he enjoyed his many friend and his family. He was a member of the NRA, the VFW, and The American Legion of Crete, Ne. He was an avid hunter and gun enthusiast. He had many interests and hobbies including gardening and working on small engines but mostly he enjoyed coffee with his friends on a daily basis. He lived his life without judging others and was a friend to anyone he met. He is greatly loved and will be profoundly missed.


Services will be on Monday, March 31 at 11:00 a.m. at the Vance-Gerdes Funeral Home in Odell with Don Canady officiating.