Irene Strauss, an extraordinary woman, wife, mother and human being, passed away on June 6 after 98 years of family love, loyal enduring friendships and many laudable accomplishments.
Irene Strauss was a first generation American, the youngest of four siblings, and her early life was tempered by St. Paul, Minnesota, weather, the Great Depression and World War II.
After studying at the University of Minnesota, getting married and having three small children, Irene and Alvin moved to Johnson County, Kansas, away from her extremely close extended family but ready for the challenge of a new community. These early years found Irene as a homemaker and part-time executive assistant, taking advantage of her skills in shorthand and typing.
This perfect family dynamic abruptly ended when she was diagnosed with metastatic melanoma, a mortal diagnosis now, but especially back in 1968. As a last resort, she was enrolled in the first experimental immunotherapy trials at M.D. Anderson Cancer Center and remarkably was cured — the only one in her cohort to survive. As if that wasn't enough, in 1977, the family was on the Plaza the night of the infamous flood in Kansas City. They barely got out of their car before it was swept away. The next morning it was pictured on the front page of the Kansas City Star being hoisted out of Brush Creek with a crane.
Her incredible will and tenacity was challenged again a few years later with the tragic, untimely death of her beloved husband, Alvin, leaving her a widow with her still-teenage daughter at home. Financial exigencies required her to find full-time employment, and she took a most challenging direction — she became a residential real estate agent. Her phenomenal will and grit kicked in, and she became extremely successful. However, tragedy struck again when fate brought her to the Hyatt tea dance the night of the skywalk collapse. Her companion was crushed before her eyes while she was left without a scratch.
Through the subsequent years, she continued to pursue her hobby of duplicate bridge, traveling throughout the country to play in tournaments, as she was quite an expert player. She continued to sell real estate, working well into her 80s, and traveling the world. Incredibly, when she was in her 80s, she took her granddaughter, Emily, 15 years old at the time, on an African safari, even climbing Mt. Kilimanjaro.
She is survived by her three children whom she always encouraged to live up to the highest standard, and evidently they did. They are Dr. William Strauss, an eminent nephrologist/gerontologist physician in San Francisco, California; Amy Strauss Tranin, a nationally recognized oncology nurse geneticist; and Robert Strauss, a decorated fighter pilot. She is also survived by two grandchildren, Emily Tranin of Denver, Colorado, and Alex Tranin of Leawood, Kansas. They were the light of her life.
Irene had a love for life and a frankness that attracted friendships even with younger people, who always said “she is a lot of fun.” Irene taught those who knew her to speak up for themselves, live life with rigor and confidence and never give up. She will be sorely missed.
The family held a graveside service on June 8, 2025 at Mt. Carmel Cemetery, followed by shiva services on June 8 in the Chapel at Village Shalom where she spent her final years. The family requests no flowers.
Contributions in her memory may be made to the Sally Tranin and Irene Strauss Village Shalom Employee Education Fund at the Jewish Community Foundation or the charity of your choice.
Online condolences for the family may be left at louismemorialchapel.com.