Albert Strobel  --  1985

       Funeral services for Albert Edward Strobel were Monday, Dec. 2, 1985, at 11 am in the Hope United Congregational Church of Christ north of Bethune, with Dr. Albert Wetzel officiating. 

      Song selections included "Beyond the Sunset" and "Take My Hand Precious Lord".  Singers were the men's chorus and the organist was Velda Adolf; pianist was Dolores Dobler. 

        Casket bearers were grandsons Curt Strobel, Scott Strobel, Dain Strobel, Mike Schroeder, Aaron Strobel, David Strobel and Steve Strobel.  Honorary casket bearers were G.E. Schaal, Jake Schaal, Matt Schaal, Edwin Conrad, John Bryner, Elmer Fasse, Ernie Langendoerfer, Don Clamp and Albert Frank.    Burial was in the Hope Cemetery, Bethune. 
 
       Albert Edward Strobel, the third son and fourth child of Jacob Strobel and his wife Katharina (nee Dobler), was born July 26, 1904, on the family homestead in the Friedensfeld Settlement north of Bethune (and about 2 1/2 miles from the country postoffice of Yale).  While still an infant, he was dedicated to the Lord through the Sacrament and Covenant of Holy Baptism, administered in Immanuel Lutheran Church by Pastor Ackerman.

     Albert learned the three "R's" and his other formal education in Prairie View School.  As a boy and youth he also learned first-hand the rigors and rewards of high plains agriculture and livestock husbandry as he worked side-by-side with his parents and siblings in the fields, on the range, and with the diversity of livestock around their farmstead. 
 
       The Strobel family's commitment to Christ, its wholehearted fellowship with and regular active participation in Christ's Body, the Church, were at least as influential in the shaping of young Albert's character and goals as were the responsibilities at home and his education in the public schools.  During those formative years Albert and his peers were progressively instructed in the Scriptures and in the tenets of Christian faith.  At the proper age he and his fellow confirmands received intensive instruction from Pastor Karl Haemmelman and were privileged to assume the Covenant of Christian Faith upon their own decision and responsibility.  Their rite of Confirmation was conferred in the original frame edifice of Hope Congregational Church on May 30, 1920. 
 
       Young Albert continued working with his parents and youngest sibling on their "new" farm and ranch some 4 1/2 miles west of the original homestead.  The vibrant spiritual and social fellowship of their church, the rapid mechanization of farming, the miracle of home electrification, and his growing involvement in the larger community made the 1920's an exciting time in Albert's life.  Several young people from the Settlement played with the Burlington Community Band under the direction of C.C. Bradshaw.  Albert and his brother Emil played trumpets and their brother John the trombone. 
 
       On April 25, 1931, Albert E. Strobel and Magdalena Louise Ziegler were united in the Covenant of Christian Marriage, the ceremony being solemnized in Fort Collins, Colo., by Albert's brother, the Rev. Theo C. Strobel.  In time their happy union was blessed with six children, all of whom now survive their father. 
 
       Albert and Lena's first eight or nine years in farming and ranching were made difficult by the great economic depression, and especially by the drought, duststorms, and successive crop failure of those Dust Bowl days.  They kept faith, however, and reared their children by good example and with loving care, and were in turn helped and blessed by the reciprocal response and participation of their children in their home, in the church, and in the community. 

    Mr. Strobel was a progressive farmer and rancher, and was especially skilled in mechanics and in all aspects of building, including design, carpentry, concrete work, plumbing, wiring and finish work.  He did much building with and for his own family and often for relatives and neighbors.  He worked for a time with his brother John in California and Hawaii as they remodeled government postoffices. 
 
       Albert was an enthusiastic, active member of Hope Congregational United Church of Christ, generous in his stewardship and support, active in the choir and men's chorus (as well as CBMC men's choir) for many years, serving on the board and in the Diaconate and in many other ways as long as his health permitted.  He thought of others before himself, visiting and helping the forgotten and lonely, the needy and the sick in nursing homes, hospitals and in their own homes.  During his retirement years in Burlington he was active in the RSVP program and enjoyed helping other senior citizens with maintenance and repair work around their homes.  He reconditioned bicycles for his grandchildren and other kids, and repaired small engines and lawn mowers for friends and neighbors. 
 
       The Strobels were privileged to celebrate their golden wedding anniversary in 1981.  In spite of his declining health, they were able to make several extensive trips around the western U.S. to visit relatives and friends.  During the last months of his life, Mr. Strobel enjoyed the loving concern, the faithful help, and the comforting presence of his wife and their son Arnold - and of the other children as their responsibilities and geographical distance permitted.  After a rich, eventful life spent in personal relationship with God, in the sharing of life and faith and love and labor with his family, and in the living out of his Christian faith in self-giving love and real service to his neighbors and community, Albert E. Strobel, surrounded by his immediate family in his home, completed his earthly pilgrimage on Thanksgiving evening, Nov. 28, 1985, at the age of 81 years, 4 months and 2 days. 
 
       Those who survived to mourn his temporal absence - but much more to celebrate the witness of his life and the victory of his faith in Jesus Christ - include:  His beloved wife Lena with whom he shared more than 54 years of life and labor, of love and companionship; their children, Arnold of Bethune, Viola Schroeder and her husband Bob of LeMars, Iowa, Alvin and his wife Barb of Burlington, Calvin and his wife Beverly of Fort Collins, Art and his wife Connie of Bethune, and Roland and his wife Sandee of Greeley. 
 
       Fourteen grandchildren - Mike Schroeder and wife Nancy with their daughter Kristen (Albert's great-granddaughter), Terri Schroeder, Curt, Scott, and Steve Strobel, Kristi Niswender and husband Troy, Aaron, Amy, DeLain, Dain, Andrea, Stephanie, Karmon and David Strobel. 
 
       Two brothers with their respective spouses - John L. Strobel and wife Margaret of El Cerrito, Calif. and Emil J. Strobel and wife Anna of Bethune. 
 
       Several more brothers and sisters-in-law and many nephews and nieces.  A host of cousins and other relatives, of neighbors in the larger community and of friends in many places.

         Mr. Strobel was preceded in death by his parents, his sister Emma M. Strobel Schaal, a brother, the Rev. Theo C. Strobel, and a niece, Betty Strobel Sprenger. 
 Prepared by Pastor Herb Schaal, a nephew of Mr. Strobel.