Barbara Mary (Rowland) Strathman

Barbara Strathman passed away on January 25th at Bethany Sylvan Lake at the age of 96.

Barbara was born September 16, 1926, in Lacombe to parents Hugh and Rose Rowland. She was raised on a farm northwest of Lacombe near the homestead of her grandparents who arrived from South Dakota in 1900. During her youth, she rode horseback to the Elkhorn School and as the eldest of six siblings, was often noted for her unfailing willingness to help others. She married at 18 and capably stepped into a new life as a farm wife with her soul mate, Fred Strathman, a role she fulfilled for some 48 years. Throughout those years, she was a champion for her home community of Iowalta, volunteering with local women’s groups, her church and writing for the newspaper.  Great food, boundless love, laughter, and music were a big part of the home she made for her family. Fiddle music was a staple and the kitchen floor often the setting for the twirling to an old-time waltz. As a marvellous cook and baker, the aroma of hearty stews, fresh baked bread, cinnamon buns and pumpkin pies welcomed hardworking threshing and sawmill crews, visiting neighbours and relatives alike.

Travel played a big part of her life. Her first overseas trip to Germany in 1964 was exhilarating and impactful. Fred was miraculously reunited with the family he had left behind when he immigrated to Canada 37 years prior. Crossing the “Iron Curtain” into East Germany to meet Fred’s brother and family proved to be a harrowing experience; one that left a lifelong appreciation for Canada and the freedom we often take for granted. Subsequent travel took her back to Germany as well as across Canada by RV and cold winter escapes to the warmer climes of California, Arizona, Texas, Hawaii, Mexico, and the Caribbean.

Barbara enjoyed poetry, especially the inspirational musings of Helen Steiner Rice. She had a deep appreciation for nature and loved to discover beauty in all of God’s creation. She was noted for her treasured elephant collection; many of which she lovingly gifted to family at a recent Rowland Reunion.

She would say her greatest accomplishment and blessings in her life were her children, grandchildren, and great grandchildren. She was generous with her cuddles and her love and thrilled to become a great grandma or “GiGi” as she liked to be called. Her innate ability to see the good in everyone and everything around her stood the test of time. This desired trait carried her throughout her twilight years with grace and enviable aplomb.

Barbara was predeceased by her husband of 48 years, Fred Strathman (1992), son Ted Strathman (2020), grandson Jared Talsma (1994), daughter-in-law Elaine Strathman (2000), son-in-law Tom Hagerman (2008) and her brothers, Gerald Rowland and Jack Rowland and sister, Valerie Hegberg; and later spouses, Archie Baines, and Edwin Jahraus. She was predeceased by Fred’s brother and sister in Germany and their spouses.

Barbara is survived by brothers, Roy Rowland (Colleen), Art Rowland, and sister-in-law Joyce Rowland and many beloved nieces and nephews.

She is survived by her children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren:

Daughter - Dixie Hagerman; Jordan Hagerman (Ashley), Tanya Taylor (Rob)

Daughter - Jyl (Gerald) Talsma; Tara Kinnear, Charlie; Bryce Talsma (Laura), Grace, Heidi, Gabriel; Chelsea Taylor (Shaun) Lincoln, Lowen, Pyper, Isla

Daughter-in-Law – Carol Job; Crystal Strathman, Drew, Chloe, Conner

Archie’s Daughter – Patty (Joe) Banfield

Funeral Services will be held at St. Andrews United Church on Saturday, January 28th, 2023, at 1:00 PM.

If friends desire, memorial tributes may be made to The Lending Cupboard or The Alberta Diabetes Foundation.

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