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June Elizabeth Stratbucker, born March 26, 1932, died Jan. 14, 2023. Preceded in death by her parents; brother; and two sister in-laws.

Survived by loving husband George; twin brother, four children; ten grandchildren; fifteen great-grandchildren; and many loving family and friends.

Visitation, Friday, Jan. 20, at Emmanuel Fellowship Church (Crowne Point Ave.) from 6:30-8:30 p.m. Funeral Service, 10 a.m. Saturday, Jan. 21, at Emmanuel Fellowship Church. Internment at Forest Lawn Cemetery following Service. Memorials to be dedicated to Christ for the City and Step Up to Life.

Arrangements by Roeder Mortuary, Inc. - 108th Street Chapel, 2727 N 108th St., Omaha. 402-496-9000 www.RoederMortuary.com

#2-Published at Roeder Mortuary

Elizabeth Stratbucker at age 90 and while surrounded by her loving family, went to her heavenly home on Saturday, January 14, 2023. June was born at her parent’s home on March 26, 1932, in Oostburg, WI, daughter of the late Nicholas and Laura (Theune) DeTroye.

She was baptized and became a member of Bethel Orthodox Presbyterian Church in Oostburg. June graduated from Oostburg High School in 1950 and attended Iowa State University in Home Economics.

Her working life started in a cannery. She then practiced bookkeeping first in Omaha and then at the Soils Laboratory in Ames, ultimately finding her vocational calling by fulfilling the many tasks required of a farmer’s wife.

On September 1, 1953, June and George spoke their marriage vows that grew into an enduring love spanning the next 69 years. June followed George through many moves during his Airforce career including San Antonio, TX; Malden, MO; Enid, OK; Box Elder (Ellsworth), SD; and Abilene, TX. After the Airforce years she lived in Omaha, NE, settling on the farm in Ft. Calhoun and then finally at the farm outside of Glenwood, IA.

Even though she was heard to exclaim, “I’ll never marry a farmer!” she did just that, becoming George’s right-hand helpmate. Driving tractors, cultivating, combining, tending to hogs, soybean weeding, amber cane removal, irrigation system work, running for meals and parts, even planning and helping build the two homes they lived in: You name it, she did it. Along the way, June got willingly roped into a lot of cockamamie trips and escapades to make the farm and family prosper.

June was an extraordinary mother. She encouraged her four daughters to follow God with all their hearts and taught them to sing (two daughters became music majors), cook (one daughter went into professional food service), sew (another daughter turning this skill into a sewing business), and so much more. Drawing upon her own sewing ability she expertly crafted the bridesmaid and flower girl dresses for all four daughter’s weddings.

Beginning in the late 70’s and early 80’s June and George devoted themselves to developing a much closer walk with God. This heartfelt redirection of their lives led them to aid many ministries over the years through concerted prayer and material support, as well as by diving in with their own hands. Their example is a living testimony of God’s goodness to all who have had the privilege of knowing their story.

June was preceded in death by her parents, Nicholas & Laura; brother, Lauren DeTroye; Sisters-in-law, Mary & Elizabeth DeTroye; and brother-in-law, Robert Stratbucker.

Survived by her husband George; twin brother, Jack DeTroye; 4 daughters: Sharon (Karl) Wilcox, Poplerville, MS; Deborah (Rodney) Veldhuizen, Custer, SD; Susan (Shawn) Phinney, Redstone, CO; and Nancy (Scott) Larson, Glenwood, IA. 10 grandchildren: Rachel (John) Clem; John (Nicole) Wilcox; James (Lyndsey) Wilcox; Ruth Wilcox; Andrew (Ann) Veldhuizen; Erin (Matthew) Dillon; Bryn (Nathan) Webster; April Phinney; Nichole Larson; and Erik Larson. 15 great grandchildren: Luke, Nathaniel, Micah, Hannah, Grace, Joshua, Caleb Wilcox; Lydia Clem; Liam, Nora, Sury Wilcox; Grace, Alexander Veldhuizen; and Joesph, Margaret Dillon.

Visitation Friday (1-20-23) at Emmanuel Fellowship Church (8345 Crowne Point Ave.) at 6:30-8:30 PM. Funeral Service 10:00 AM Saturday (1-21-2023) at Emmanuel Fellowship Church. Interment at Forest Lawn Cemetery following service. Memorials to be dedicated to Christ for the City (5855 N. 90th St, Omaha, NE 68134) and Step up to Life (3125 Oakview Drive Suite #103, Omaha, NE 68144).

#2 (from Step up to Life, FB)

A very precious woman of God, June Stratbucker went home to be with the Lord recently. Earth's loss is heaven's gain. There is an incredible story we'd like to share about the Stratbucker's "Miracle Field." Amazing. Check this out:

"It was May 2003 and George Stratbucker was driving his tractor planting corn on a 160-acre tract that the family had farmed for over 40 years in Tekamah, Nebraska. He and his wife, June, faced 80-mile rides from Glenwood, IA to get there with their equipment since their local custom operator decided to quit.

Everything was the same except for one thing…a stirring within himself that George recognized as God’s leading. No voice or vision, but a clear impression, ‘Make an up-front commitment of half this field to the ministry.’ The ministry that came to George’s mind was Step Up To Life.

As planting was being finished off for the day, clouds began to gather in the West. That night four to six inches of rain fell.

That much water soaks the soil and rots the seed. The soil will lack oxygen, sour and then crusts so the seed that doesn’t rot can’t come up. It leafs out underground and dies. It only meant one thing…plant it again. They did not.

Three weeks go by and the field shows nothing. Then Gus, who supplies chemicals to George, called and June answered the phone. “You guys better come up and check out your field,” he said.

“We’ve been praying for a miracle,” June replied.

“I believe you have one,” was his answer.

The 80-mile drive went quickly and the Stratbuckers’ hearts beat a little faster as they turned off the main road to the farm. Little shoots of green marked out the rows. Another week passed and there laid a field that was a “keeper.” But the summer turned hot and dry. George would start the irrigation pivot the next day. Then his man would call and say the pivot had stopped and would start up again for no apparent reason. Irrigation was intermittent and irregular.

The crop came up. Gus started calling the land the “Miracle Field.” The Farm machinery dealer who lives adjacent to the farm asked how they did it. June explained that half the field was dedicated to the ministry and that was the answer.

Then George challenged Pastor Murdoch, founder of Step up To Life to help with the harvest “I’ll let you drive the combine!”

“Are you kidding?” he said. The results? The field averaged the highest yield per acre in the 40+ year history of the farm. The neighbors are calling it, "The Miracle Field."

~~~Obituaries courtesy of the Nebraska Washington County Genealogical Society. Newspaper clippings on file in the Blair, Nebraska Public Library~~~

Find a Grave Memorial #248437964