George Stratman

George Stratman, age 88 of George, Iowa passed away Tuesday, September 15, 2026 at Good Samaritan Society in George.

A funeral service will take place at 2:00 PM, Saturday, September 19, 2026 at First Baptist Church, rural George, Iowa with Pastor Jesse Sternke, officiating. 
Livestream of Funeral Service

Visitation will be from 12:30 PM until the time of the service at the church.

George Robert Stratman was born to Meinert and Mary (Winter) Stratman on April 2, 1938, near rural Ellsworth, Minnesota. George accepted Jesus Christ as his Savior at the age of 12. He was baptized and became a member of First Baptist Church of George and lived a life of faith and trusted the Lord in all things. He attended country schools in Grant and Elgin Township. He then entered Little Rock High School and graduated in 1956. George served three years in the United States Army from 1958 to 1962 in Germany.

George was married to Carolyn Reemtsma on September 14, 1962. They lived in George, Iowa for 7 years, while George worked at Sudenga Industries. They then moved to the family farm in 1969 near Little Rock, raising their 3 children to have a strong work ethic and to fear the Lord. They farmed for 40 years, raising hogs and crop farming.

In 2009, they moved to their new home in George, Iowa where George enjoyed spending many hours in his woodworking shop. George and Carolyn attended many gospel concerts with friends and looked forward to the Stratman family reunions and the Reemtsma Reunions where they played 5 crowns late into the night. George and Carolyn began traveling around the USA when the kids were growing up and later they took their grandchildren on camping trips. Travels continued for George and Carolyn including visiting all 50 states and many National Parks. Later they enjoyed becoming Winter Texans in the Rio Grande Valley.

George is survived by his son Laverle (Jodi) Stratman; children Jacob Stratman; Mary (Kodi) Hawthorne and their children Retta, Walker, Maverick; Emma (friend Jack Blair); Gretchen Stratman; Tyler (Clema) Rearick; Wyatt Rearick.

Daughter Karen (Gary) Hielkema and their children Garrison (Brooke) Hielkema and their children Elijah, Kylee, Skylar, Levi, Jaelynn; Karissa (John) Lorenzen and their children, Tillie, Rose, Eliza, Mae; Kalsey Hielkema (friend Sean Kenn).

Daughter Kristin (Jason) DeBoer and their children Brookstin (Jordan) Halma and their children Owen, Rylee, Cooper; Jack (Whitney) DeBoer and their child Kace.

Sister Thelma Razor; sisters-in-law, Leora Reemtsma, Linda (Lynn) Molendorp, and Wanda Stratman; brother-in-law, Lynn (Jane) Reemtsma; along with many extended family and friends.

He was preceded in death by his wife of 54 years Carolyn; parents Meinert and Mary Stratman; siblings, Frederick Stratman, and Arlene Walker. Father and Mother-in-law Theodore and Louise Reemtsma. In laws Kenneth and Eleanor DeBoer, Vernon and Lavonne Reemtsma. John Walker and Robert Razor.

Blessed be his memory.