Sandra A. Stroff, age 85, of Highland, Illinois, died June 9, 2025, at her residence at Cedarhurst in Highland, Illinois.
She was born on December 19, 1939, in Peoria, Illinois, daughter of Harold H. and Mildred M. (nee Cooper) Cook. She married her late husband, Charles “Nick” Stroff in Peoria, IL, on June 3, 1959.
Sandra was raised in Dexter, Iowa, by her late grandparents, Harold and Kate Cooper, on their farm. She learned to play guitar and sing. She played basketball in high school as well. Sandra graduated from Stuart High School in Iowa in June of 1959. She was an only child who spent her school years with her grandparents and her summers with her mother in Peoria, Illinois. She met her husband, Nick, at the local swimming pool and they were married after her graduation and moved to settle in Highland, Illinois.
As a young wife and mother of 3 children, she was active in the Highland Junior Woman’s Club, Jaycees Wives Auxiliary and a Den mother for the Boy Scout Pack 43 of the EvUCC in Highland. She was a member of Evangelical United Church of Christ. She was also a member of She was a member of Marine Evangelical Church, Women’s Guild, American Legion, Aux. of Becker – Reding Post 702 at Marine, VFW Post #5694 at Highland, Loyal Order of Moose Lodge 82 at Edwardsville, and a former member of Secretarial Union at Triad.
She became Secretary of Marine Grade School in the Triad School District and was dedicated to thousands of children in the school for 25 years.
After she retired, she became a member of the Evangelical United Church of Christ in Highland, Illinois. She helped the Ladies Auxiliary with the luncheons at the church. As a member of VFW Post 5694 in Highland, she helped during the fish fry.
She and Nick loved to go camping and boating. They were members of Starlite Campers in Jacksonville, Illinois, on Lake Jacksonville for close to 50 years. Many summers were spent there with family and friends. They took many family vacation trips and did yearly family canoe trips on the Current River. After retiring she traveled to Hawaii, Florida, Tennessee, Alaska, the Arctic Circle, Arizona and made many trips to her hometown, Dexter, Iowa. She was involved in Scouting with her husband for many years. She enjoyed cooking, sewing, embroidering, crafts, playing cards, volunteering and adventures with her girlfriends, as well as gambling!
She loved her family, and her smile could light up a room, we will miss her laughter and love of life!
Sandra is survived by her children: Dana S. (Ronald J.) Rakers, Charles N. “Bud” Stroff, III, and Clayton A. (Emily) Stroff; grandchildren: Jacob I. (Krysten) Rakers, Zachary A. (Kristen) Rakers, Rachel N. Simmons, Shain R. Stroff, Tara C. (Todd) Spitze, Cody L. Stroff and Zenga M. Stroff; great grandchild: Zane Rakers, Trent Spitze, Renn Rakers, Trace Spitze, Cale Rakers, Tayla Spitze, Rochelle Rakers and Callista Simmons.
She was preceded in death by:
- Father – Harold H. Cook, died 2/23/53
- Mother – Mildred M. (Cooper) Cook, died 2/19/03
- Husband – Charles N. “Nick” Stroff, died 9/26/99
- Grandparents – Harold & Kate Cooper
Arrangements are being handled by Spengel-Boulanger Funeral Home in Highland, IL.
Visitation will be held from 9:00 AM to 11:00 AM on Saturday, June 14, 2025, at Evangelical United Church of Christ in Highland, IL.
Funeral Service will be at 11:00 AM on Saturday, June 14, 2025, at Evangelical United Church of Christ in Highland, IL, with Rev. Nancy Brooks, Pastor, officiating.
Interment will be at Highland City Cemetery in Highland, IL.
Memorial contributions may be made to Marine Library or Meals on Wheels – Highland.
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