Ellen Stradt, 94, formerly of Bettendorf died of natural causes on July 3, 2023 at Cottage Grove Home in Cedar Rapids, Iowa. A private family service is planned at Weerts Funeral Home with a private family burial following at Davenport Memorial Park Cemetery.
Ellen Elise (Manchester) Stradt, daughter of Maurice and Thelma Manchester, was born in Davenport, Iowa on May 1, 1929, the eldest of two children. She married the man of her dreams, William (Bill) E. Stradt, on January 30, 1948, and shared the next 73 years with him. During those early years, Ellen and Bill started a family of their own and, because of circumstances, stepped in to raise Bill’s three youngest siblings, Robert, Alice, and Paul. Even though she was a hard-working mom, Ellen supported her husband in his professional real estate career and his many civic activities. This included traveling around the country and attending various public and private events. She loved dancing with her husband, doing crochet and cross stitch, taking care of her poodles, volunteering at the Bettendorf Meal Site, and spending time with her grandchildren and great grandchildren. Her hair was always coiffed and her nails well-manicured.
Ellen’s memory is honored by her four children: William C. (JR) and Donna Stradt of Bettendorf, Judith and Stephen Harkema of Ankeny, Iowa, Michael and Deb Stradt of Tinmath, Colorado, and Deborah and James Craig of Hiawatha, Iowa, her grandchildren: Martin (Kristen) Stradt, Adam (Anne Yount) Stradt, Ryan (Kelly) Harkema, Trevor Harkema, Lindsey (Kyle ) Wilhelm, Chad Stradt, Andrew Craig, Elise (Nate) Adams, Ethan (Annie Hess) Craig, and Madeline Craig, her great-grandchildren: Elliott Stradt, Hayden and Talan Stradt, Elizabeth Yount, Beckett and Brooks Harkema, Aidan and Kiran Wilhem, and Jack Hess-Craig.
Ellen was preceded in death by her parents, her husband, Bill, brother Richard, and grandson Parker Craig.
The family wishes to thank the staff at Cottage Grove for the care and friendship Ellen found there.
In lieu of flowers, you may celebrate her memory with a memorial to Bettendorf Meal Site or Cottage Grove.
