Streyffeler, Sam (1918-2021)

STREYFFELER

Posted By: Ken Wright (email)
Date: 8/16/2021 at 16:17:50

Obituary
Sam Streyffeler was born in a rural parsonage in Pottawattamie County, Iowa in 1918. He died August 11, 2021, in Des Moines, Iowa. His life stretched between the two greatest pandemics in the history of the United States. Sam was eligible to vote for 19 different presidents. Sam wouldn’t publicly declare his political leanings? He abhorred arguments and TV commercials. During his last year of life, Sam finally came to speaking terms with both Siri and Alexa.

Sam was the second of five children born to Harlan and Opal Streyffeler. As the son of a 3rd generation Swiss immigrant, preacher, school administrator, and salesman of agricultural products, Sam moved frequently. Summers were a constant, however, highlighted by tent camping in his mother’s hometown of Arispie, IA. Opal strongly believed summer in the city was not the place for children. Fresh air and space were required.

Before joining the Army in 1942, Sam worked on his education degree at Drake and met his future wife, Luella. Sam was stationed at Fort Stevens, Or. Having had the good fortune of marrying a straight A student with excellent clerical skills, Luella became the secretary to Sam’s army company commander allowing Sam and his bride to spend part of the war years together and begin raising son Larry.

Returning home post war, Sam had several teaching assignments, the longest was teaching social studies at Amos Hiatt, Jr. High in Des Moines. He ended his teaching career at Franklin Jr. High in 1979. Teachers Bowling League and Kiwanis were of special interest long after retirement along with tending a sizeable produce garden. He was most proud of his tomatoes and pear tree.

Sam’s volunteer career included many ventures, notably was a 10-year commitment to Bidwell Riverside settlement house where Sam was the chief cook and server for often 40 hungry adults. Sam loved to cook, mostly whatever the refrigerator had to offer. Cookbooks were unknown to Sam. Campfires and Coleman stoves were a specialty. The VA and DMARC were two other volunteer stops.

After his wife’s death in 2005, Sam moved to senior housing in Des Moines, where he lived out his life of independence, free of assisted living. He and Radene Riley were constant companions. In Sam’s little apartment unit, he quickly became loved by all. The building mail room was the center of his social life. Sam was the “sage on the stage,” offering his nuggets of wisdom.

As mobility and vision deteriorated, his radio was evermore at his side. Public radio, Science Friday, black holes, and quasar discussions were favorite features. Steven Hawking and Carl Sagan were two of his favorite writers. Country Western Fort Dodge radio station became the background sound in his apartment. George Jones would be worthy of more volume. History “buff” Marvin was a regular visitor from across the hall this past year, keeping Sam’s intellect ever “up” there. By the way, who is that guy Ramanujan?

Sam is survived by his one son Larry (Mary Ellen), granddaughter Lisa and her two children, Lucas and Anna.

Sam was civil, faithful, compassionate, and generous. Generosity particularly increased as granddaughter Lisa and great grandchildren became his priorities. Heard from Sam on a long-ago family road trip to Kentucky, “I’m not paying .25 cents just so the three of us and this car can drive under a stone bridge!!”

Memorials to Bidwell Riverside Settlement House

A celebration of life will be announced later.

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