Todd C. Strader
Todd C. Strader, 54, was peacefully welcomed into Heaven while surrounded by his family on Sunday, Aug. 27, 2023, at the University of Iowa Hospitals.
Visitation will be Friday, Sept. 8, 2023, at Morris Funeral Home in Guttenberg. Visitation will continue at church from 8:30 – 10 a.m. on Saturday, Sept. 9.
Funeral services will be held at 10 a.m. on Saturday, Sept. 9, at St. John’s Lutheran Church in Gutttenberg with burial to follow at Bethel Cemetery near Colesburg, conducted by Pastor Mike Ashman.
On March 15, 1969, Todd arrived as the firstborn son of Ken and Mickie (Krieg) Strader. Being the eldest was a dubious task. His brother, Scott, closest in age generally served as Todd’s wingman. He accepted the challenge of eldest even up to his passing. In the early years there were the occasional fights with younger siblings, Eric and Megan. However, as time passed, Todd matured into the big brother they needed. He had their backs in dust ups with their folks, fixed their cars and ran to their side anytime they needed help as adults.
After high school, Todd served in the Army National Guard. His service inspired a deep love for our nation and its veterans. He attended Kirkwood Community College where he studied auto body repair.
On Sept. 18, 1999, Todd married the love of his life and best friend, Stephanie Rae Eglseder. Together, they have two beautiful sons, his pride and joy, Conor and Caden. As a family of four they enjoyed travel, the outdoors, live music, cold beers and smooth bourbon.
In recent years, Todd found his forever work family at Guttenberg Industries where he worked as an Industrial Engineer. He loved his job designing, building, and ‘a little of this and a little of that’. He was a true man of many talents, fun to work with, laid back and willing to help anyone. There was never a job too dirty or a task too hard for him to tackle. He was truly loved by everyone that worked with him.
Todd’s true loves were his adoring wife and his incredible sons, his family, friends and his dogs. His other loves included the outdoors, hunting, guns, guitars, music, and cars. He was truly one of the good ones! He was known for his megawatt smile and his contagious laugh that would give him away no matter where he was. You could walk into a room of 100 people, hear his distinct giggle and know he was in that room with you somewhere. He was ‘the graphic t-shirt off his back’ kinda guy. If you needed him, he was there!
He was a husband who loved fiercely. He respected and supported his wife. His life’s most important work was teaching his sons everything he could in the time he was given.
Lifeskills, how to take care of your home, how to be a good person, how to take a car apart and put it back together and most importantly how to “keep your foot on the pedal and nevermind them brakes.”
He will be lovingly remembered and dearly missed by his survivors including his wife of 24 years, Stephanie; sons, Conor and Caden; mother, Mickie Strader; brothers, Scott Strader (Joelle) of Evansdale, Eric Strader (Dawn) of Marion; sister, Megan Strader of Marion; parents-in-law, Steven and Barbara Eglseder of Woodcenter; brother-in-law, Brooks Eglseder (Angie) of Edgewood; and nieces and nephews, Staci, Mara, McKinzie, Evan, Rachel, Joseph, and Bekka.
He was preceded in death by his father, Clark ‘Ken’ Strader, Jr.; uncles, Terry Krieg and Walter Hager; and aunt, Ardythe Hager.
The family would like to thank the Colesburg and Guttenberg EMS staff, Guttenberg Hospital ER staff, and the Life Flight Crew of the University of Iowa, especially Patrick. Special thanks to the U of I ICU nurses, staff, and neurological team as well.
In lieu of flowers the family asks for donations to The Wounded Warrior Project, Pheasants Forever and The Eastern Iowa Honor Flight in Todd Strader’s memory.
Information is available at www.morrisfuneralhomes.com. Memorials may be sent to Morris Funeral Home (in care of the deceased) 207 South 1st St, Guttenberg, IA 52052.
