Memorial
Cheryl Lorraine (Bordwell) Strohbehn died at Meth-Wick Community on Feb 5th at the age of 88. There will be no visitation per her wishes A graveside service will be held at Grant Township Cemetery near Reinbeck, Iowa on Sunday, February 8, 2026, at 1:00 PM.
Cheryl was born August 31, 1937, in Vinton, IA to Velma (Oliphant) Bordwell and Donald Bordwell. She was the oldest of three girls. Cheryl married her beloved husband, Roger Wallace Strohbehn, on August 19, 1959, at the United Presbyterian Church in Reinbeck, IA. They were married for 53 years until his passing in 2013. As a couple they lived in Michigan, and the Washington DC area before returning to Iowa in retirement.
Growing up, Cheryl lived in Iowa and Texas. It was in Texas that she developed her life-long enjoyment of Mexican food. As a girl, Cheryl developed close relationships with her cousins, who were closer to her in age than her sisters. She begged to spend as much time with them as possible. She loved horseback riding and swimming at a family farm. Cheryl graduated from Belle Plaine High School. She continued her education at Iowa State Teacher’s College, the University of Colorado at Boulder, and graduated with a bachelor’s degree in education from the University of IL. During her teaching career, she taught in Iowa, Illinois, and Maryland.
Following a year of continuing education at Georgetown University in Washington, DC, Cheryl worked for many years as paralegal for the Kamerow & Kamerow law firm in Washington, DC.
Cheryl had a keen and artistic eye. She was a “junker” who could spot a good deal from across a room and created treasures from even the most unlikely of finds. Cheryl also won awards for the flower arrangements she created using the mums that Roger grew. She designed and printed her own Christmas cards for about 60 years. Cheryl was an active member of Cedar Valley Chapter of the Embroiders Guild of America, stitching over 200 needlework master pieces. Cheryl also enjoyed reading and she participated in several bridge groups.
Cheryl was preceded in death by her parents, her husband Roger Strohbehn, and sisters Kathy Holcomb (Bordwell) and Elaine Tubaugh (Bordwell), and brother-in-law Stanley Holcomb, as well as four of Roger’s siblings. She is survived by brother-in-law Jerry Tubaugh, many beloved nieces and nephews, and a vast community of friends.
The family thanks the staff of Meth-Wick Community and Essence of Life Hospice for their compassionate care during Cheryl’s final months.
If desired, memorials in Cheryl’s name can be made to the Meth-Wick Community, Essence of Life Hospice, or the Cedar Valley Chapter of Embroider’s Guild of America.
At Cheryl’s request, in her memory, please do a good deed for someone in need.