Henry Strnad

There will be no visitation or viewing at the funeral home! Family will greet family and friends at Zion Church, Munden, Kansas at 7:30pm Thursday, February 27, 2014.

Sunset burial 5:30pm Friday at Tabor Cemetery, rural Munden, Kansas

Memorials may be made to the Henry Strnad Memorial

Henry Paul Strnad was born December 11, 1933 on the family farm in Farmington Township in Republic County Kansas, the fifth child of Bohumil (Milek) Strnad and Lois Elizabeth Sanford Strnad, and passed away in Republic County Kansas on Tuesday, February 25, 2014 at the age of 80 years, 2 months, and 14 days. He lived his entire life in the Munden Community within four miles of where he was born. Henry attended and graduated from eighth grade at Bethlehem School in 1947 and Munden High School with the Class of 1951. He later attended Fairbury Junior College for three semesters. On December 25, 1954 he was married to Anita Rose Rundus at the Munden Presbyterian Church of Munden, Kansas by the Reverend Benjamin Rundus, father of the bride. Three daughters were born to this marriage, Benita Strnad, Rebecca Craig, and Beverly Richardson. After graduation from high school he began farming with his father and brothers, Billy, Glen, and Roger, on the family farm and continued to be involved with this operation for the rest of his life. He became a small businessman in 1986 when he became part owner of the Farmers Elevator of Narka, Kansas, eventually going to work for his brother Shirley Strnad who owned United Grain, Inc. In 1997 he returned to work there until his death. In the spring of 1958 Henry and his wife answered the call to be a lay minister at the Danish Lutheran Sunday School and ministered faithfully to that congregation until 2006 when regular services were discontinued. He continued to serve that congregation for special occasions filling that pulpit for the last time on Christmas Eve of 2013. Henry also served numerous congregations throughout southern Nebraska and North Central Kansas during his lifetime, as well as officiating at a great many funerals throughout the area. He was a faithful and dedicated life-long member of the Zion Evangelical Church of Munden, Kansas. He served that church in many capacities including serving as Elder, Church Treasurer, and Sunday School Teacher. He was an unabashed ambassador for the church welcoming all that came through its doors. Henry was actively involved in the life of his community and participated in many organizations. He belonged to the Republic County Czechs and was President for many years. He served as President for several years of the Kansas Czechs, Inc. He was a past President of the Republic County Historical Society, and a member in good standing of the Mason’s Belleville Lodge No. 129 and enjoyed their fellowship very much. Henry was a lifetime member of the National Farmers Union and other farm organizations. He served his community as mayor and city councilman. Henry provided good council and advice for friends and family over the years. He was a man of many interest and talents. He was a builder, mechanic, truck driver, electrician, plumber, historian and archivist, preacher, and teacher. He had a gift for hospitality and making everyone feel welcome. He said everyone had a story and he took the time to hear it. Henry is preceded in death by his parents; his sister Elizabeth (Betty) Piroutek; brothers Billy W. Strnad, Glen O. Strnad, Shirley Strnad, and Roger Strnad. He will be forever remembered by his wife of 59 years, Anita Strnad of the home; daughters Benita Strnad, Tuscaloosa, Alabama, Rebecca Craig and husband Robert, Jr., Scandia, Kansas, and Beverly Richardson and husband Peter, Bozeman, Montana; grandchildren Robert C. Craig, III and Charlsie Craig, Scandia, Kansas and Emily Richardson, Bozeman, Montana; sisters Patricia Taylor and husband William, Pekin, Illinois and Mary Rundus, Munden, Kansas; and a large number of “favorite” nieces and nephews, grand nieces and nephews; and a host of friends.

Funeral services will be held 3:30pm Friday, February 28, 2014 at the Zion Evangelical Church in Munden, Kansas with a sunset burial at Tabor Cemetery, rural Munden. Visitation will be 7:30pm Thursday at the church in Munden where the family will be greeting everyone. Memorials may be made to the Henry Strnad Memorial. Tibbetts-Fischer Funeral Home, Belleville, Kansas, was in charge of these arrangements.