Inez Marie Strauch (Krause) age 90, passed away on September 11, 2022 at the Washington County Nursing Home surrounded by her children, family and the wonderful staff who took such good care of her. A celebration of life service will be held on Saturday October 1 ^st at 10:00 AM at the First Presbyterian Church in Akron, Colorado

Inez was born on September 12, 1931 in the family farmhouse the youngest of 10 children for George and Anna Krause (Rassmusen). In 1936 her sister Vivian passed away from pneumonia, and a sister Opal at birth.

She grew up with 8 brothers and sisters. She attended the 1 ^st & 2 ^nd grades at the Willadel School.  In the 3 ^rd grade the family moved to Cope, CO where they purchased the local grocery store. Her father's health was slowly beginning to fail, he had MS.  She attended school in Cope while the entire family ran the grocery. However, in the 1930's people had little money, George's health declined even further, the store was unable to remain open.  They were forced to move into a home that her brother Glen owned near Cope.  Inez attended Crystal Heights School through the 7 ^th grade, and in the spring, due to her father's health, the family made the decision to move to Akron, CO.  They would make their new home there.

Inez attended and completed the 8 ^th grade in Akron.  She discovered music and singing while attending High School, she blossomed under the mentorship of Ruth Spicknall, beginning her life-long love of music and singing.  She attended many music festivals over the next four years, along with concerts, and she also attended a music camp in Illinois in 1949, and finally graduating from high school.

Inez met Rob Strauch from Brush, Colorado in 1949 at the popular roller skating rink in Brush. During this time she was offered a professional recording contract, but made the difficult decision to decline the offer and marry Rob instead. So, in November 1949, she and Rob were married at the First Presbyterian Church in Akron. They made their first home in Brush, Colorado where Rob worked at the Sinton Dairy and Inez worked at the B&B Pharmacy.  In December 1950, their first child Kent was born.

In 1952, they moved to Akron and Rob went to work for Inez's older brother Bill in the construction business.  Inez went to work for the Cooley's at the newspaper Office.  Inez left the newspaper when their second child Jill was born in February 1955.  In 1956, Inez went to work at the ASCS office for the Federal Government, and she remained in that position for 33 years, finally retiring in 1988.

After retiring from ASCS, Inez worked in local restaurants, she said she wanted to stay active and keep her mind sharp.

Inez was a long time member of the Masonic Temple's, Order of Eastern Star, and sang at numerous gatherings.

Inez and Rob enjoyed gambling trips to Elko, Nevada and later they enjoyed making many trips up the hill to Black Hawk. They were fortunate to win some big jackpots playing slot machines. Even after Rob's passing, the family made trips so mom could do a little gambling.

Through the years, Inez worked and raised her family and were faithful to the First Presbyterian Church. She devoted her life to the church and to singing in the choir every Sunday.  Throughout her life, Inez thankfully sang at many weddings, funerals and holiday celebrations.  It was her calling in life to help others in her community when they were in need of faith, love and help.

Inez served on the church council, and her and Rob also served as custodians for the church.

Rob had a fall in July of 2015 and Inez spent the next two years by his side taking care of all of his needs and driving him to the multiple doctor's appointments, making sure he was taken care of and was devoted to him after nearly 68 years,

In 1997 they built a new home and resided there until Rob passed away in 2017, and by herself until 2019 when she suffered a stroke and could no longer be by herself, sold their home and entered the Washington County Nursing Home.

Inez had a passion for reading, she read every single day reading thousands of books over her life time. In her last days she could no longer read but some of the staff at the nursing home read to her from the bible and read her favorite scriptures, and prayed with her which was a great comfort to her.

Inez had a good life (according to her) worked, raised 2 children, enjoyed her grandchildren, great grandchildren, great-great grandchildren.

She devoted her life to her family, her church and the Lord her entire life. She was a sweet, kind and loving woman who always tried to do what was right.  She was a fiercly loyal and stubborn woman who will be missed dearly.

She is survived by her children; son Kent Strauch and wife Joan Strauch (Fillion) of Peyton, Colorado; Jill Withers (Strauch) and husband Doug Withers of Erie, Colorado, 13 Grandchildren, 22 Great-Grandchildren, and 4 Great-Great Grandchildren.

She is preceded in death by her parents George and Anna, 5 Sisters- Vivian, Opal, Elsie, Irene, Louella, and 4-Brothers Glen, Bob, Bill, John.