Joseph Andrew "Joe" Strutt

Joseph Andrew “Joe” Strutt passed away peacefully at his home in Hay, KS with family at his side on November 30, 2022, at the age of 86. He was born on December 19, 1935, to Theodore and Sarah (Cadoret) Strutt in Osborne County, KS. He married Ada Barry on May 20, 1959, in Stockton, KS. They were blessed with two children: Dale and Donna.

Joe served in the Army from 1955 to 1957. He spent two years in Germany as a wireman and then transferred to Crailshem as a mechanic. Upon returning to the States, he served in the Army Reserves and was honorably discharged in 1963.

Joe worked for the Walker Oil Company with his brother Dean and with Rooks County Highway Department in the early 1960s. He then went to work at Schult Homes in 1967 and retired from Schult after 30 years. He had a work ethic that was second to none, working as a group leader for the final finish department and a facilities maintenance technician.

Around the home, Joe was a true do-it-yourselfer. He would try to build or repair something rather than buy it. In the mid-1960s, he built his family’s new home on North First Street in Stockton from the ground up. Years later, he also completely renovated their rural home west of town. He could build just about anything big or small either from wood or metal. In addition, he could repair or overhaul anything from buildings to vehicles to equipment. The list of his handiwork and items that he built and repaired through the years is endless. Some more notable projects were remodeling three other houses, restoring a 1953 Jeep, building a garden tractor from various car parts, building a motor home and a fifth wheel camper.

Along with his projects, Joe was always willing to take time to help others. He will be remembered for his small acts of kindness from sweeping snow off your vehicle to making minor repairs when he came over for a visit.

During his retirement, he spent most of his time working around his rural home and spending time with his family, particularly his grandchildren and great-grandchildren. His family remembers taking strolls to the pond with him, caring for horses, dogs and cats, and riding the go-cart in the yard. He wasn’t a man of many words but was quick with a smile and a sly joke. Joe and Ada enjoyed going to auctions and flea markets, looking for a great deal or something that could be lovingly repaired.

Joe is survived by his wife Ada; children, Dale (Mary) Strutt of Mead, CO and Donna (Jerry) Jones of Kearney, MO; sisters, Gertrude (Howard) Morgan of Marion, KS and Judith (Thomas) Butler of Enid, OK; 5 grandchildren: Sarah Strutt, Casey Jones (Cierra), Jonathon Jones (Karissa), Kaitlyn Strutt, and Colton Strutt (Jasmine); and 7 great-grandchildren: Conner, Evie, Jadeyn, Kyleigh, Kollin, Charlotte, and Rhett.

He is preceded in death by his parents, Theodore and Sarah Strutt; and brothers, Gerald Dean Strutt and Francis Strutt and sister Bernice Strutt.

A Visitation will be held from 2PM until 4PM on Sunday, December 4, 2022, at the funeral home in Stockton. There will be no public services.

Memorials are suggested to Friends of Webster and may be sent in care of Plumer-Overlease Funeral Home, 723 N 1st St., Stockton, KS 67669.