Julie Kristin Strait
December 1, 1946 - November 6, 2023

Julie Kristin Strait, daughter of Clarence and Burnita (Nielson) Kortman, was born December 1, 1946, in Ute, Iowa. She grew up in Charter Oak and graduated from Charter Oak -Ute High School in 1964. Julie then went to Wayne State and earned her bachelor’s degree in Elementary Education.

On December 21, 1967, Julie was united in marriage with Loren Strait at the United Methodist Church in Charter Oak. When Loren was first in the service, Julie taught school in Durant, Iowa. She then joined him while he served in Georgia and Louisiana. While Loren was serving overseas, Julie taught in Sioux City, Ia. Upon his return, Julie taught in the Wisner-Pilger, Nebraska area while Loren went back to college. She also taught at the Elk Horn Valley school in Meadow Grove, Ne. When they started their family in 1971, Julie became a stay-at-home mom. They made their home in Columbus, Ne and then Crawford, Nebraska where they owned and operated a family clothing store. In 1984, they returned to Charter Oak and shortly thereafter, Julie completed her Masters in Elementary Special Education. In 2011, she retired from teaching after 25 years with the Charter Oak-Ute Schools.

Julie was a devoted member of the United Methodist Church. She enjoyed camping, gardening, and tending to her houseplants. She volunteered at and served on the board at the Charter Oak Library. Julie and Loren were selected as the Charter Oak Citizens of the Year in 2016. Julie cherished the time spent with her grandchildren.

On Monday, November 6, 2023, Julie passed away at her home in Charter Oak, following a three-month battle with pancreatic cancer, at the age of 76 years, 11 months and 5 days of age.

Julie is survived by her husband Loren Strait of Charter Oak; three sons: Bradley (Erin) Strait of Spring Hill, Kansas; Brian (Carrie) Strait of Joplin, Missouri; and Christopher (Christy) Strait of Sioux City; Grandchildren: Alexander, Isaac, Colin, Jillian and Kellen Strait; Bonus grandchildren: Raylee, Hunter and Owen Gamble; a sister Judith Cloeter of Michigan; and a brother-in-law Ronald Sorensen of Omaha.

She was preceded in death by her parents; an infant son; a brother John Kortman; Loren’s parents: Anna Strait Jensen and Dow Strait; his stepfather John Jensen; and her in-laws: Lawrence (Ruth) Strait, Mary Ann Sorensen, and George (Muriel) Starcevic.

Memorial Services were held 11:00 A.M., Friday, November 10, 2023 at United Methodist Church in Charter Oak, Iowa, with Rev. Kristin Boysen and Kirk Manchester officiating. Organist Brenda Christiansen provided accompaniment for congregational hymns “How Great Thou Art” and “In the Garden.” Serving as honorary pallbearers were Julie’s Grandchildren. Inurnment was held in the St. Clair Cemetery in Ute, Iowa. Immediately following the service, the family invited everyone to the Charter Oak Community Building for a time of fellowship and lunch. Services were entrusted to the Huebner Funeral Home.

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