Dea E Strobel

Dea Evelyn Strobel age 65 of Bellevue, Nebraska formerly of Plattsmouth passed away at her home on Thursday, March 5, 2020.  She was born on February 9, 1955 in Eureka, Kansas to Dale and Yola Bee (Brown) Strobel.

She had fought a long battle with Type I Diabetes after waking up from a diabetic ketoacidosis coma at the age of 26 while serving in the U.S. Air Force stationed at San Vito de Normandy, Italy.  She was preceded in death by her mother, Yola Bee Strobel of Hiawatha, KS.

She is survived by her children, Sara (Fiancé Kent Allison) Donnelly of Tekamah, NE, David (Kari) Donnelly of Tekamah, NE, father, Dale Strobel of Hiawatha, KS, sister, Doris (Larry) Kniesel of Hiawatha, KS, brothers, Denis (Chris) Strobel of Bluffton, SC, Dewey Strobel of Valmeyer, IL, Daren (Shari) Strobel of Owatonna, MN, Dana (significant other, Tracy Powell) Strobel of Beaver Lake, NE, 5 grandchildren, Noah, Morgan, Haylee, Evan and Teagan, numerous nieces, nephews, grandnieces, grandnephews and many cousins.

Dea’s mother often referred to her as the “Happy Wanderer.”  Her escapades with travel started in high school as a member of the renowned Plattsmouth High School Marching Band.  Their travels took her all over the Midwest; to Chicago, IL; Pasadena, CA for the Tournament of Roses Parade and Philadelphia, PA.  Her travels since then included Minnesota, Texas, Arizona, Missouri, New York, Germany, Italy and France.  She brought her two children to Plattsmouth in 1993 to raise them and settle down.

This is where she worked many hours in food service to provide for the kids.  She attended college for a Bachelor of Science in food service and restaurant management, classes at MCC, UNO and UN-L while also while also making sure the kids’ needs were met and urging them to be in band, scouts, church, sports and school activities.

She was a member of the Platte Valley ABWA and held offices. It was her joy to chair the Little Miss & Little Master pageant, which used her organizational skills, people skills, and artistic abilities.

She volunteered at Bingo at assisted living communities in Plattsmouth and loved making elderly people happy. Crafts, sewing and DIY activities were in her blood. Many family members and friends have various items that she made especially for them as keepsake memories.

Since her first residence she rescued animals, mainly cats. Her love for animals is reflected in her daughter Sara and son David.

She was a member of First Lutheran Church since confirmation in 1967. She served as janitor there for a few years and was a SHARE volunteer for many years.

She loved Neil Diamond’s music, the Nebraska Cornhuskers, Christmas, Halloween and her “Grape Ice” Chevy Spark.

She loved the color purple, pink flamingos, making Christmas decorations and cooking for large crowds. She made homemade birthday cakes for Sara, while David preferred DQ ice cream cakes.

She spent years at Godfather’s pizza catering for the hall upstairs. This included all the cooking, decorating, setting up tables & chairs (with the help of her kids), running the events and cleaning up afterward.

Funeral Services will be held on Tuesday, March 10, 2020 at 10:00 AM at the First Lutheran Church in Plattsmouth, Nebraska with Rev. Lloyd Stuhr officiating.

Visitation will be Monday, March 9, 2020  from 9:00 AM until 5:00 PM to sign the register book.

Interment will be in the Hiawatha Cemetery in Hiawatha, Kansas

Memorials may be directed to the Diabetes Association.

Arrangements by Brian P. Harvey Funeral Home, Plattsmouth, NE  402-296-4445