Judith Deanne Wills Strahm, 75, of Hiawatha, died Friday evening, October 9, 2015, at St. Francis Hospital in Topeka.

Judy was born, October 10, 1939 in Beloit, Kansas, one of three children born to the late Paul and Elva Gray Wills. She grew up at Beloit where she attended K-12 public school, graduating with the class of 1957. In high school Judy received several state music awards. She later attended Emporia State Teachers College where she traveled with the school’s vocal group “Treble “Clef”. Judy also attended, later graduated in 1987, from Peru State Teachers College, with a BS in elementary education. At Peru, she was a member of the Kappa Delta Pi sorority. She taught at Kickapoo Nation School in Powhattan from 1989 until 2004, when she retired.

Judy’s hobbies included home remodeling/redecorating, crocheting and quilting. She married Gene J. Strahm, August 20, 1961, and the couple resided in DeForest, Wisconsin where they lived for seven years where she owned and taught “Budding Youth Nursery”; served as treasurer of the Village of DeForest; and worked as receptionist at the Jackson Medical Center. They moved to Hiawatha in 1968 because it was the perfect sized town to raise children and a good school system. Gene preceded her in death April 25, 2009.

Survivors include four children: Gregory Strahm (Erin) of Rockwall, TX, Barbara Eastman (fiancé Michael Fleming) of San Diego, CA, De Ann Kramer (Jeff) of Sabetha, KS, Jeffrey Strahm (Sarah) of Lewisville, NC; and 11 grandchildren. Also surviving are two brothers: Larry Wills (Doris) of Topeka, and Bennie Wills (Patti) of Concordia.

A Celebration of Judy’s life is planned on 10 a.m. Tuesday, October 13, at Chapel Oaks Funeral Home in Hiawatha. Pastor Shane Spangler will officiate. Interment will follow at Sabetha Cemetery. Friends may call at the funeral home after 10 a.m. Monday where the family will meet from 6 until 8 that evening.

Memorial contributions are suggested to the Judith Strahm Memorial Fund, to be designated later, which may be sent in care of the funeral home, 124 S 7th St., 66434. A special message or remembrance may be sent to the family atwww.chapeloaksfuneralhome.com.