George H. Straetker

A funeral Mass to celebrate the life of George H. Straetker, (92), of Davenport, will be held at 10:00 a.m. Friday, March 17, 2023 at Our Lady of Victory Catholic Church, Davenport. The burial with military honors will be at the National Cemetery, Rock Island Arsenal.  Visitation will be held on Thursday from 4 until 6 p.m. at the Halligan-McCabe-DeVries Funeral Home, Davenport.

Mr. Straetker passed away Monday, March 13, 2023 at his home surrounded by his family.

He was born on February 28, 1931 in Davenport to George and Lillian Straetker, and graduated from Davenport High in 1948. His business degree was from Northwestern University where he was a member of the Rose Bowl marching band in 1949. His Master's degree was earned at Western Illinois University. He married Doris DeBo in 1956 in East Moline.

He enlisted in the Iowa State Guard in 1945 during World War II, and on his 17th birthday joined the Naval Reserve in 1948, where he served as an intelligence Officer, and retired in 1972.

He attended Mass daily at 7:00am, worked out seven days a week at the Arsenal Fitness Center, and then went to the library in the afternoon. He was also a co-founder of the local chapter of Birthright.

Mr. Straetker retired in 1997 after 35 years of teaching business classes at Pleasant Valley

High School and was also the chairman of the vocational education department. For many years he would play a solo "Silent Night" on his harmonica at the end of the aud before Christmas break. He received a Happy Joe "Golden Apple" the first year the award was offered and was a high school sub in Davenport and PV for many years after retirement. He formerly operated several businesses including a down-town real estate and insurance business in the 1950's.

He was a member of the American Legion, Elks Lodge, Mississippi Valley Ski Club, and was a life member of the German American Heritage Center and the Oakwood Country Club. He also was an honorary life member of the Outing Club, where he served on the board-of-directors as treasurer during its 100th anniversary in 1991, and in later years as the finance chairman for the new additions including the Wellness Center in 2012. He also found time to serve five years on the Davenport Plan and Zoning Commission, and on the board-of directors of Oakwood and the German Center.

Mr. Straetker enjoyed golf, tennis, swimming, foreign travel, and was an avid down-hill skier. He and his family enjoyed skiing in Colorado and other western states several times every year. There were also numerous ski trips to Canada, Argentina, Chile, New Zealand, Austria, France, and Switzerland, plus he and Doris enjoyed many European bike trips in the summers.

Survivors include his wife Doris; a daughter and her husband Sharon and Kyle Krause,

Waukee, Iowa; a son and his wife, John and Sandi Straetker, St Louis; seven grandchildren; three great-grandchildren; sister-in-law Joanne DeBo, Simpsonville, South Carolina.

George was preceded in death by his parents, a brother, James Straetker, and his in-laws, Rene and Romanie DeBo.

The family is extremely grateful to all those provided care to George during his brief illness.  In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to Sisters of Humility Homes and Services for the poor in Davenport, The German American Heritage Center, or Our Lady of Victory Foundation.