Shirley Jean Stratman's Obituary
Shirley Jean Stratman, 88, passed away peacefully July 24, 2022 in Tucson, AZ. Shirley was born in Canon City, CO to Dwight and Viola Nicholas as the oldest of 3 sisters. Her father worked on ranches in Gunnison County and upon graduating from Gunnison High School, Shirley became a telephone operator and worked in her aunt’s thrift shop.
Shirley met Allan Stratman and they married in 1957. They owned and operated a ranch in the Ohio Creek Valley near Gunnison, CO and raised four children. Shirley maintained the household and cooked for her family and all of the hired help on the ranch and everyone loved her delicious meals. She also raised a vegetable garden and helped with ranch chores. She joined Cowbelles and a bridge club and was able to socialize with other women in the community.
In 1975, Shirley and Allan moved to Malta, Montana along with their three youngest children to operate several large ranches in partnership with absentee owners. Shirley had to shuttle between the house in town and the ranch headquarters as well as two remote cow camps which were 70 miles from town. She regularly traveled about 70 miles another direction to Glasgow, MT to purchase bulk groceries and supplies for the ranch. After the partnership dissolution in 1977, Shirley and Allan purchased the Apache Springs Ranch in Sonoita, AZ and moved there with their two youngest daughters. Shirley became a member of the Santa Cruz County Cowbelles and joined in other social groups in the Sonoita, AZ area. Shirley and Allan owned and operated the Apache Springs Ranch as well as the Rex Ranch in Whitman, Nebraska until they retired in Sonoita, AZ.
Shirley was a very sweet and compassionate person and admired by all that knew her. She made many friends in all the different places that she lived. Her caring nature and beautiful smile will be missed.
Shirley is survived by her four children Barbara (John) Schingle, John (Shari) Stratman, Nancy Stratman and Susan (Mark) Byrum; grandchildren Katelyn (Hunter) Swanson, Karlie Stratman, Jessica (Tyler) Green, Josh Schingle and Vanessa (Chad) Phillips and six great grandchildren; niece Christa (Gibbons) Naranja and nephew Scott Gibbons; cousins Cheryl Moore and two daughters of Canon City, CO: Richard Hix, wife Faith and two daughters of Canon City, CO, Jim Trott of Sante Fe, NM, Bev (John) Karlzen of Sun City, AZ and Larry (Pam) Nicholas of Goldendale, WA.
Shirley will also be dearly missed by Sherrie Decesare who was her devoted private caregiver of the last 3 years.
Shirley is preceded in death by husband Allan Stratman; her parents; sisters Geraldine Gibbons and Carole Nicholas and many aunts, uncles and cousins.
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