Gordon Dale Strunk was born March 24, 1928, south of Abilene, Kansas. He was welcomed into God’s arms, passing away peacefully on October 27, 2023 at home in Talmage, Kansas. He spent his boyhood years in the New Basel community, attending rural schools and graduating from Abilene High School in 1946.Upon graduation, Gordon embarked on a lifetime of work centered around agriculture, such as farming and livestock feed sales. He was a talented motor grader operator and timber logger, skills he passed on to his sons and grandsons. He retired at age 85.
After retirement, he enjoyed listening to the songbirds, watching baseball and rodeo on TV, sitting on the screened porch in the summer, near the wood stove in the winter, frequent visits with neighbors, and daily afternoon refreshments. Not much of a traveler, Dickinson County was his world. As long as he could see the prairie’s horizon, that was all the vacation he needed. If you knew Gordon, you heard him sing. He sang every single day! He had a song in his heart and an appropriate one for every occasion, usually old hymns, country western, or American standards. If a song came to mind, he sang it out!As Dad to seven, fatherhood came naturally to Gordon. He guided with advice like, “we’ll know more come 4th of July,” “nothing that a little Sunday School won’t cure”, “Pay Attention!”, and often, “Put a smile on your face!”.
Gordon was preceded in death by his parents Aaron and Ella, first wife Margaret, infant grandson Christopher Loftus, and his best friend and brother-in-law Delmar Curran. He is survived by DeAnne, his devoted wife of 54 years, his sister Rosella Curran, and his seven children: Kay Hoffman (Bob) of Hope, KS, Tim Strunk of Abilene KS, Max Strunk of Ft Lauderdale FL, Sue Krenger (Mike) of Oklahoma City, OK, Jan Sexton (Ted) of Abilene KS, Andy Strunk (Angie) of Abilene KS, and Sara Steppe (Dean) of Wakefield KS. He is also survived by a host of grandchildren and great grandchildren, cousins, nieces, and nephews.
Although Gordon led a simple and modest life, his legacy is rich in kindness, rich in faith, and rich in love. A private graveside service is planned for the family. In lieu of flowers, please consider a donation to Shiloh Ranch Ministries or Hospice of Dickinson County c/o Danner Funeral Home. A celebration of life will Saturday, November 4th 1-3 p.m. at the Talmage Library and Event Center.
Some glad morning when this life is over, I’ll fly away. To a home on God’s celestial shore, I’ll fly away.