Gordon Gene Strunk

Gordon Gene Strunk, 85, of Bridgeton, Mo., died August 13, 2023, at home, and on his half birthday. He
was born February 13, 1938, in St. Louis, Mo., to George William and Vivian Florence (Anderson) Strunk.
Gordon was the owner and operator of Strunk Landscaping Inc., for more than 63 years, serving
customers across the St. Louis metro area, and employing and mentoring countless young men who
needed work. He also was the owner and operator of Mini Golf in St. Peters, and the First Capital
Antique Shop in St. Charles.

He was a member of the Army National Guard beginning in 1961 assigned to the 204th Signal Battalion at
Ft. Bragg, N.C., and later the 204th Signal Battalion of St. Louis where he was a radio mechanic. During his
service in St. Louis, Gordon would position himself on a grassy slope along Highway 70 and near his
military facility where he would sit and wait to wave to the girl that would soon be his wife, as she
traveled west on the highway to her first teaching job. No cell phones. Just a spoken promise that he
would be there

Gordon was also a member of All Saints Catholic Church in St. Peters, Mo., for all of his adult life. He and
his late wife, Iris Ann (Grabanski) Strunk served in many roles at the church, including being the founders
of the Parish School of Religion (PSR) program, and founding members of the Right of Christian Initiation
of Adults (RCIA) program. He was also a member of the Knights of Columbus. His faith was strong and
steady throughout his life, and his example of faith, hope and love inspired and encouraged many
people.

Gordon was a wonderful story teller, and a master of expressing one-liner statements of wisdom or
truth at just the right time to help someone face a problem or find a solution.

Gordon was good at finding solutions and was a skilled mechanic who could fix almost anything with a
little ingenuity and some of the scraps and parts in the shed that he knew would come in handy
someday. He collected, repaired and displayed old clocks including grandfather clocks, mantle pieces
and wall clocks. He enjoyed games, brain-teaser puzzles and reading. He loved nature and collected
rocks and especially enjoyed being outside. He collected old glass bottles, and liked antiques especially
old machines and tractors. But above all he liked people and enjoyed making them smile.

And most important to Gordon were family and friends. He and Iris created a loving bond with their
children and taught them many important lessons. Love was first. Money and possessions were always
secondary. He literally gave the shirt off his back, the money in his wallet, the hug in his heart, and the
possessions he thought would serve others better than him.

He was the devoted husband to Iris for 45 ½ years, and together they raised five children AND mentored
and "raised" many young men who came to work for him as well as neighborhood kids who came to talk
or find refuge in his home. He made his backyard the place for teens to hang out, including fishing in the
pond and riding snow mobiles and motor bikes. And he would join in on the fun, remaining with a childlike
heart and love for activity into his 80s.

He is survived by one son, Gordon Joseph Strunk of St. Peters, and four daughters: Ann Marie (Jeff)
Hoover of Warrenton, Theresa Vivien Strunk of Lake St. Louis, Regina Dorothy (Charlie) Kimbrel of
Foristel, and Rita Iris (Paul) Rutledge of St. Peters; two sisters: Aileen (the late Bob) Derhake of St. Ann,
and Carole (Jim) Farmer of O'Fallon; two brothers-in-law: Mark (Linda) Grabanski and Martin (Debbie)
Grabanski; three sisters-in-law: Diane (the late Steve) Burke, Cindy (Kevin) Burke, and Kay (Dave)
Brennan; 10 grandchildren: Rhianna Hoover, Sara Hoover, Shauna (Patrick) Mika, Kelly Dunlap, Janice
Dunlap, Samantha Dunlap, Danielle Kimbrel, Michelle Kimbrel, Tyler Rutledge and Troy Rutledge; one
special granddaughter, Jesse (Kelly) Walker of St. Peters, one special grandson, Denver Sullens Jr.; one
great-granddaughter, Finley Iris Mika; two special great-granddaughters, Kailey and Kiera Walker; as
well as numerous nieces, nephews and friends.

He was preceded in death by his beloved wife, Iris Ann (Grabanski) Strunk; his granddaughter, Terra
Grace Strunk; his grandson, Adam Gordon Strunk; his parents, George and Vivian (Anderson) Strunk; his
sister and brother-in-law, Vivienne and Edwin Keeven; his big brother: George "Bud" Strunk and his little
brother, Marvin William Strunk; his brother-in-law, Robert Derhake Sr.; his brother-in-law, Steve Burke;
and many other beloved nieces, nephews and friends, including his in-laws who deeply loved him,
Winslow Martin and Dorothy Violet (Kulas) Grabanski.

Donations in Gordon's name may be made to: fearsomeis.org in support of a friend's efforts to raise
awareness and find a cure for Multiple Sclerosis.

A memorial mass will be held Friday, August 25th, 2023 at 10:00am at All Saints Catholic Church located at 7 McMenamy Rd, St Peters, MO 63376. Interment will immediately follow at St. Charles Memorial Gardens.

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