Obituary of Betty R. Stratton

Betty R. Stratton, 81 of rural Homestead died Monday, August 12, 2013, at her home surrounded by her family. A time for family and friends to gather and share with one another will be held from 4 to 7pm Thursday, at Gay & Ciha Funeral and Cremation Service in Iowa City. We will conclude the evening with a sit-down time to share your favorite memories or stories. Private family burial will take place at a later date at Oxford Cemetery next to her husband Leo and her son, Doug. In lieu of flowers, memorial can be given in Betty's memory to Iowa City Hospice, Oxford First Responders, or the Amana Fire Department. Online condolences may be sent for her family through the web @ www.gayandciha.com. Betty Ramona Stratton was born October 24, 1931, in Iowa City the daughter of Andrew and Christianna (Miller) Peterson. She grew up on a farm near Tiffin, attending schools there, graduating from Tiffin High School in 1950. On February 7, 1951 she was united in marriage to Leo K. Stratton. The couple began farming on their own at their rural Homestead address in 1954, where she raised her four sons, assisted her husband on the farm, but most of all loved the life that she was blessed with. Her "CB" handle was "CardShark", she was pretty good in cards, knew her way around the casinos, and was the other half of the duo with her dear friend, Rosie Coblentz. Her family, who she dearly loved, and they loved her includes her sons, David Stratton, Jeff Stratton and his wife, Dea; and Mike Stratton and his wife, Brenda all of rural Homestead; 8 grandchildren, 22, great-grandchildren; her siblings, Violet Salsbury, Mary Berry, and Roland Petersen; her in-laws, Loretta Peterson, Bill and Eilene McCormack, Jani Stratton, and Charles and Nancy Stratton. She was preceded in death by her parents, husband, Leo, son, Doug; two great-grandsons; brothers, Irvin Pederson and Paul Peterson; and her sisters, Esther Arn and Edith Brown.