Joan Strong

Joan Strong, widow of Benjamin Strong, 86, formerly of Schuyler, passed away on February 8, 2023 in Lake Havasu, Arizona.

A memorial service will be held on Friday, March 31, 2023 at 10:30 a.m. at Svoboda Funeral Home with Rev. Sarah Gengler officiating. Family greeting friends will be Friday, March 31 from 9:30 until 10:30 at the funeral home. Inurnment will take place in the Schuyler Cemetery with a lunch following at the Schuyler Golf Club. Svoboda Funeral Home is handling arrangements for the family.

Joan was born on November 4, 1936 in Howells, Nebraska to Edwin and Emily (Svoboda) Rydel. She attended and graduated from school in Howells. Through mutual friends Joan met Benjamin Strong and the couple was later married on April 11, 1955 in the Bethlehem Chapel, rural Howells.

Joan worked for Monticello, Iowa Schools while their family lived there, but took great pride in being a wife and a mother. She worked hard to keep the house in working order and enjoyed cooking meals for her family to share together. Joan cared deeply for her family and will be forever missed.

Joan is survived by her son Jeffrey of Lake Havasu, Arizona; five grandchildren: Jeff Strong, Jessica Landis, Jace Strong, Tony Pagliai, and Jacklyn Ewing as well as several great grandchildren, and many nieces and nephews.

She is preceded in death by her parents, husband Benjamin in 2009, daughter Vikki Pagliai in 1985 and brothers Jim and Robert Rydel.