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STRANZ HELEN S.
HELEN S. STRANZ
Mrs. Helen S. (Staub) Stranz, age 100 years, wife of the late Ernest G. Stranz, passed away Monday evening, December 5, 2011, at the Renaissance Gardens at Brooksby Village. Mrs. Stranz was born in Waukesha, Wisconsin, daughter of the late John J. and Elsie (Steele) Staub. She was raised and educated in Wisconsin. She graduated from Carroll College in the class of 1932. After college she worked for the Girl Scouts. At the start of WWII, Mrs. Stranz entered the United States Navy and served her Country during WWII, the Korean War, and in the Reserves. She rose to the rank of Lieutenant Commander and retired after 25 years of service. Mrs. Stranz was employed by Bonwit Teller in Chicago first as a buyer for the company and then as the manager of the Gift Shop. She married Ernest Stranz in 1954. The two of them were great cooks, entertainers of friends, and world travelers. They were happily married until his passing in 1969. Mrs. Stranz relocated to Chagrin Falls, Ohio, in 1976. In 1984, she took over ownership of the Village Exchange, a consignment business her sister started in 1964. Mrs. Stranz was very active in the Chagrin Falls Historical Society and Chamber of Commerce. She marched in the Memorial Day Parade in her uniform every year until she was 90. Mrs. Stranz sold her home and business in 2004 and moved to Brooksby Village in Peabody.
Surviving her are one niece, Gretchen Rickards and her husband Reese of Newbury, MA; two nephews, Steven Van Nort and his wife, Carolyn, of Tucson, AZ; and Peter Van Nort and his wife, Karen, of Glen Arbor, MI; and 30 great nieces and nephews. All these individuals surrounded her at a huge weekend celebration of her 100th birthday. She was also the sister of the late Betsy June Van Nort.
Memorial services have not been determined at this time. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to the Chagrin Falls Historical Society, 21 Walnut Street, Chagrin Falls, Ohio 44022. Arrangements are under the direction of the Murphy Funeral Home, 85 Federal Street, Salem, MA 01915. For on line guest book or information please visit www.murphyfuneralhome.com or call 978-744-0497.
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