Margaret “Peg” Stritesky, of rural Iowa City, died peacefully at her home on Monday, July 8, 2024, with her family by her side after a long battle with Vascular Dementia.
A rosary will be recited at 4:45 p.m. on Monday, July 22, 2024, at St. Mary’s Catholic Church in Solon with visitation to follow from 5-7:00 p.m. Mass of Christian Burial will be at 10:00 a.m. on Tuesday, July 23, 2024, at St. Mary’s Catholic Church in Solon. A time of visitation will also be held one hour prior from 9-10:00 a.m. Interment will follow services at St. Joseph Cemetery in Iowa City.
Peg (Dvorsky) was born on November 6, 1939, in Iowa City to the parents of Gabriel and Margaret (Cole) Dvorsky. She attended various country schools during her elementary years and then graduated from Solon High School in 1958. In 1962, she received a B.A degree from the University of Iowa in Medical Technology. While at the U of I, she played french horn for the concert band. Peg then went on to work at the Iowa City VA medical center where she enjoyed helping Veterans.
Peg married Robert “Herm” Stritesky on November 4, 1967, and from this union, three daughters were born. Upon the birth of her first daughter, Peg became a stay-at-home mom, her most treasured role. Concurrently, she worked from sun up to sun down on the family farm and their business, Morse Hog Buying and Feed. Peg was a devoted mother and a very hard worker, who valued family most. She loved to garden, preserve her produce, bake, work with livestock, sew, crochet, craft, play piano, bowl, play euchre, swim, and go to casinos. She also enjoyed picking up walnuts and hickory nuts in the fall and cracking them throughout the winter to make delicious baked goods. She loved to carry on her Czech heritage by making kolaches and houskas which she often gave away as special gifts or “thank you’s.” She valued hard work and education and instilled these values into her daughters and grandchildren. Peg delighted in preparing delicious homemade meals over which family and friends gathered. Peg cherished time with her grandchildren and great granddaughter. She wanted to make sure they knew that “work was adult play” and that “many hands make light work.” Peg truly had “working hands.” Peg loved anything outdoors to include fishing, mushroom hunting and making her famous fried chicken over the bonfire.
Peg had a kind heart. Even as her illness progressed, she was very appreciative of the care that she received. Because of the support of Iowa City Hospice, Habitat for Humanity, Johnson County Aging Services, U of I Hospitals and Clinics and her daughter Pam, and son in law, Shay, and her furry friends, she was able to stay at home, which was her wish as she loved the Century Family Farm, established in 1885.
Peg was also a 4-H leader and YMCA youth basketball coach. She often made homemade goodies for the team’s after- game treat. Peg was a member of St. Mary’s Church in Solon and was a member of St. Mary’s Altar Rosary society, a member of the Johnson County Cattleman’s and a member of the Farm Bureau. She also was a Johnson County Master Gardener. After the death of her husband in 1996, she started her own business, Peggy’s Pies and More, featuring the fruit in her pies and kolaches from her large orchard. Her profits were used to pay the farm taxes. She was featured in an AP newspaper article with her pies, causing people from various parts of the country to reach out to her.
Peg is survived by her three daughters: Julie (Ron) Siepker, Lisa (Wade) Niewoehner and Pam (Shay) Bevans; five grandchildren: Adam (fiancé, Grace Furst) and Jacob Siepker, Gabriella and Lydia Niewoehner and McKenzee (Matt) Troendle; one great granddaughter, Emma Troendle; one brother, Jim Dvorsky and one sister, Sue Wertz as well as several nieces, nephews and cousins. She was preceded in death by her parents, husband, brother, David Dvorsky, sister, Doris Meyer and in laws.
In lieu of flowers memorials may be made to the family c/o Pam Bevans and online condolences may be made at www.lensingfuneral.com.
