ELLINWOOD — Roger Duane Stremel, 83, died Nov. 10 at his home. He was born April 13, 1938, in Hutchinson, Kan. to Jerome F. and Maxine (Griffin) Stremel.
Roger graduated from Hutchinson High School in 1956. He earned his associates degree from Hutchinson Community College in 1958 and then earned a bachelors degree from Emporia State Teachers College in 1962. Roger married Janis Libby on Feb. 28, 1959 in Hutchinson. He began his 38-year teaching and coaching career at Ellinwood High School where he taught math and coached football and track. He also attended Colorado State University and earned his masters degree, attending on a National Science Grant.
Roger loved the outdoors and spent many years hunting, fishing and playing golf. With his wife Jan of 62 years, they traveled the world for over 30 years taking 93 trips to six continents, 35 countries, all 50 states, and all 30 MLB ballparks where they loved to spend time with travel companions they met over the years. Roger served on the Ellinwood City Council, Ellinwood Library Board, and the election board. Roger was a member of St. Joseph Catholic Church, Knights of Columbus Council 1187 and Grove Park Golf Club. He was a devoted husband, a beloved son, brother, father, grandfather and great grandfather.
He was preceded in death by daughter Tami in 2001; his parents; and brothers Richard and Jerome Jr. He is survived by his loving wife, Janis; three sons, Scott and Julie Stremel of Wichita, Dan and JoEllen Stremel of Dodge City, and Doug Stremel and wife Eliza Darmon of Lawrence; nine grandchildren, Meghan (Matt) Edmunds, Josslyn (Jason) Miller, Alec Stremel, Jenna (Carson) Watt, Zakary Stremel, Connor (Sara) Stremel, Jared (Taylor) Stremel, Ryan Stremel, and Lauren Stremel; two step-granddaughters, Tess Nichols and Maeve Nichols; and nine great grandchildren, Isabelle, Sadie and Hudson Miller; Libby, Kenzie and Charlie Watt, and Wesley, Emerson and Wyatt Edmunds with one more on the way; brother Robert (Lexie) of Denver; and his sisters, Sharon (Norman) Utz of Houston, and Linda (James) Fleming of Nickerson; sister-in-law Suzan Stremel of Kirksville, Mo.
The vigil will be Sunday, Nov. 14, 2021, at 7 p.m., St. Joseph Catholic Church in Ellinwood. A Mass of Christian Burial will be held at 10:30 a.m., Monday, Nov. 15, 2021, at St. Joseph Catholic Church with Bishop Ronald M. Gilmore, Father Terrance Klein and priests officiating. Inurnment will be in Lakin Comanche District Cemetery, Ellinwood. Memorials are suggested to St. Joseph Church or the St. Joseph School Endowment in care of Bryant Funeral Home, Great Bend.
Funeral arrangements provided by
Bryant Funeral Home
1425 Patton Road
Great Bend, KS 67530
Great Bend (Kan.) Tribune, Nov. 12, 2021
