Jolene Strnad, Age 59

Jolene Janice Reames Strnad was born on November 10, 1956 in Concordia, Kansas; she was the daughter of Eudyne Lemoine and Frances Janice (Fulmer) Reames. After a 2-1/2 year struggle with cancer, Jolene passed from this life on Friday, September 16, 2016 at Salina Regional Health Center at the age of 59 years, 10 months and six days. In her youth, Jolene was raised on her family's farm west of Jamestown, Kansas, and they moved to town when she was seven years old. After moving to Jamestown, she enjoyed earning money working for her parents' business, Fran-Dyne Kennels, raising St. Bernards, English Sheep Dogs, and numerous rabbits. Jolene attended Jamestown Public Schools and graduated from Jamestown High School in 1974. During school, she was a member of the Jamestown Jayhawk Pep Club and enjoyed home-economics. After high school, she became heavily involved with several mission groups and attended Campus Crusades meetings in Concordia. While attending these meetings, she caught the attention of a dark-haired college boy, named Jerry Strnad. She was employed as a Nurses' Aide at Cheyenne Lodge Nursing Home in Jamestown and later was one of the first employees at Belleville Healthcare Center prior to taking on its first residents. She worked there until having children. She later wrote that she truly enjoyed her time working with the elderly and caring for those with disabilities. Jolene was united in marriage to Jerry M. Strnad at the Munden Presbyterian (Zion Evangelical) Church, Munden, Kansas, on December 3, 1976. So began her life as a devoted farmwife and mother. To this union four children were born; Jed Allen in 1981, Jeremy Jon in 1985, Jany Janice in 1987, and Jesy Dyne in 1996. Everything she did was for her family. Her life was consumed helping her husband farm, and keeping up with her children (later grandchildren) and their many activities. She journaled extensively in order to pass on history and heritage to her children; she also was a voracious reader, sometimes reading 3 or 4 books at a time. She also enjoyed a good crime mystery book or movie occasionally. Jolene was a devout Christian and an active member of the Zion Evangelical Church of Munden. Over her nearly 40 years of membership, she participated in Bible studies, served as Youth Group Sponsor, Sunday School Teacher, and numerous times as Courtesy Committee and Program Committee Chairperson. Jerry and Jolene were committed to their lives in Christ together reading "Our Daily Bread" every morning with their children and still did up until her hospitalization.

Jolene was preceded in death by her parents, Eudyne and Frances Reames; father-in-law Billy W. Strnad; and brother-in-law Jerry Olsson.

She is survived by her husband Jerry M. Strnad of the home, son Jed Strnad and wife Tranda of Russell; son Jeremy Strnad and wife Debra of Munden; daughter Jany and husband Kelly Heitmann of rural Byron, Nebraska; and son Jesy Strnad of Munden; and granchildren Hanna Elizabeth, Jaylie Janice, Clara Elyce, Jayden Danielle, Charlie Renee, Raekin Lee, Madelyn Marie, and another due in late November, Sister, Carlene Edwards and husband Dick; Brothers, Dean and Randall Reames all of Jamestown, and many cherished friends and family.

Funeral services will be held at 10:00 AM, Tuesday, September 20, 2016 at the Zion Evangelical Church, Munden, KS with Pastor Harvey Farnsworth, officiating. Interment will be at the Tabor Cemetery, rural Munden, KS. Friends may call from 9AM until 9 PM on Monday, Sept. 19, 2016 at the Bachelor-Surber Funeral Home, Belleville, KS where the family will greet friends from 6PM until 8 PM.

Memorials are suggested to the Zion Evangelical Church. Online Condolences at www.bachelor-surber.com. Bachelor-Surber Funeral Home, Belleville, KS is in charge of the arrangements.

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