Betty Strasser Obituary

Betty Ann Strasser

Betty A. Strasser, 89, passed away on March 27, 2015 surrounded by loved ones.

Betty was born June 5, 1925 in Whiting, Iowa to Frank and Verna Wickland Anderson. Betty grew up and attended schools in Whiting. She enjoyed spending time with her cousins Jim and Patricia Hopkins out by the old Sisson place. Betty's family later moved to Kansas City, Kansas, and she graduated from Wyandotte High School.

Betty married James Floyd Strasser on February 15, 1945. They had two children, James Andrew (Andy) and Judy Ann. Betty was a homemaker while Jim was a traveling salesman for various manufacturers. In April 1973, Jim and Betty started Ports Unlimited Travel Inc. At the time, it was only the second travel agency in Lawrence. They operated Ports Unlimited for 28 years. Betty and Jim enjoyed traveling in the U.S. and abroad, and took many boating trips to the Lake of the Ozarks. They were active in the Abdallah and Arab Shrine Temples, and various Shrine-affiliated organizations. Jim preceded her in death on January 24, 2000.

Bridge was Betty's passion. She played twice a week or more in regular games and often filled in for others. In her later years, when she required occasional doctor appointments, receptionists had a difficult time scheduling her appointments around her bridge commitments. It was something she would rarely miss. Betty made a great many close friends through her bridge playing. Her other passion was Kansas men's basketball. She was a member of Plymouth Congregational Church.

Betty is survived by son Andy Strasser and his wife Jan, of Lawrence, grandson Christopher Strasser of Topeka, and granddaughter Audra Boone of Austin, Texas; and by daughter Judy Ciambrone and her husband Ed, and grandchildren Anthony Ciambrone and Amanda Ciambrone, all of Baldwin City.

A memorial visitation will be from 5:30-7:30 p.m. on Tuesday at Warren-McElwain Mortuary. Graveside service will be at 11:30 a.m. on Wednesday at Memorial Park Cemetery.

In lieu of flowers, the family suggests memorials to the Arab Shrine Travel Fund in care of the mortuary.

To leave online condolences visit www.warrenmcelwain.com

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