Eileen Strickler, 97, of Iroquois, passed away peacefully on September 14, 2025, surrounded by love.

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Her funeral service was held at 10:30 AM, Saturday, September 20, at the Kuhler Funeral Home. Burial followed in the Manchester Cemetery, rural Manchester. Her service was live-streamed.

Visitation with family present was held from 5:00 to 7:00 PM Friday, September 19, at the Kuhler Funeral Home.

Memorials may be directed to St. Jude's Children's Research Hospital .

Eileen, born February 29, 1928, in Parker, South Dakota, lived a life as rare and special as her leap-year birthday. She grew up in Iroquois and graduated from Iroquois High School in 1946. After attending South Dakota State University, she studied in California at Long Beach City College, before returning to Iroquois and working at Public Service.

In 1952, Eileen married Ken Strickler, beginning a new life as a proud farm wife near Manchester. Together, Ken and Eileen raised four children and gave them a magical childhood. Eileen instilled in them a strong work ethic – sometimes under protest – that lovingly earned her the title of "The General" amongst her children. Work was made fun and her children thank her for the core values she imparted upon them.

Her successful parenting earned her a promotion to grandmother and great-grandmother many times over, spoiling the children in her life with love, ice cream, lullabies, and rich stories of life experiences.

Eileen was a talented seamstress who gifted quilts, clothing, and more that her loved ones will forever treasure. She was also a passionate Master Gardener, known for her love of irises and the ability to make anything grow and flourish. She enjoyed reading and learning about local history, her family's genealogy, and her faith. Eileen was a dedicated member of the Orthodox Presbyterian Church.

Even in her passing, Eileen's legacy lives on at "The Farm" where her family gathers. Eileen is survived by three children, Paula (Rod) DeJong of Watertown, SD, Kevin (Susan) Strickler of Sioux Falls, SD and Lisa (Kevin) Butler of Green Bay, WI and Kim Strickler (wife of son Mark Strickler); as well as 10 grandchildren and 15 great-grandchildren.

Eileen was preceded in death by her loving husband, Ken Strickler; her son, Mark Strickler; her great-grandson, Cash Strickler; and many friends and family members, collected and cherished over her bountiful 97 years of life. She will be deeply missed.

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