Shirley Strasburg

Shirley Jean Strasburg, beloved mother, grandmother, sister, aunt, and friend, passed peacefully on May 30, 2026, surrounded by the love of her family. She was 80 years old.

Born March 31, 1946, in Independence, Kansas, Shirley was the daughter of J.T. and Betty (Linville) McMillen. She graduated in 1964 from Independence High School and later graduated as Salutatorian from Independence Community College in 1966. In 1977, Shirley earned her bachelor’s degree in English with highest honors from the University of Texas at Arlington. Shirley was one of three children and grew up rooted in faith as a member of First Christian Church in Independence.

During high school, Shirley met Donald Dean Strasburg, whom she married on December 9, 1967, following his tour in Vietnam and during his service in the United States Air Force. Together they built a loving life centered around faith, family, and friends. They welcomed their daughter, Jennifer Anne, in 1968.

Shirley spent nearly thirty years in Plano, Texas where she was active in her church, schools, and community while working as an Executive Administrative Assistant for Southwestern Publishing Company. She later lived in Arizona and Oklahoma before moving to Edwardsville, Illinois, in 2012 to live with her daughter and family.

A woman of remarkable strength and resilience, Shirley lived for decades with severe rheumatoid arthritis, enduring numerous surgeries with grace, courage, and very few complaints. Despite her challenges, she was an adventurer. She learned to fly alongside her husband, traveled abroad, and walked the road less traveled. She was known for her intelligence, elegance, faith, wit, love of learning, and unwavering devotion to her family. An avid reader and lifelong learner, Shirley also enjoyed watching sports, especially University of Arizona football and basketball, St. Louis Cardinals baseball, and most professional sports.

Shirley was preceded in death by her parents, her beloved husband Donald Dean Strasburg, her father-in-law Vernon Strasburg, her mother-in-law Betty Strasburg, her sister-in-law Linda Strasburg, and her brother-in-law Gerald Strasburg.

She is survived by her daughter Jennifer (Ronnie) Brumback, grandchildren Ryan and Maggie Brumback of Edwardsville, Illinois, brothers Tom (Nancy) McMillen of San Juan Capistrano, California, and Bill (Michelle) McMillen of Bullhead City, Arizona, sister-in-law Judy Strasburg of Cameron, Missouri, brother-in-law Raymond Strasburg of Nowata, Oklahoma, along with many nieces, nephews, extended family, and dear friends.

Visitation will be held at Webb & Rodrick Funeral Home in Independence, Kansas from 6:00pm-8:00pm on June 7, 2026. Funeral services will be held at Webb & Rodrick Funeral Home on June 8, 2026 at 10:00am with burial to follow at Mount Hope Cemetery. A memorial service will also be held at First Presbyterian Church in Edwardsville, Illinois on June 13, 2026 at 10:00am.

In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to the Alzheimer’s Association or Stillwater Senior Living Center in Edwardsville, Illinois.

The family will forever remember Shirley as a steady source of wisdom, grace, strength, humor, and unconditional love.