"I have many wonderful memories of Willie. Breakfast once a month, a foursome. Buying those beautiful wooden pens her daughter made. Volunteering Sundays at the Hauge cabin at McFarland Park that she had lovingly furnished in it's time period. Visiting her yard and admiring her green thumb and giving me peony blooms. She will be missed and remembered by all who knew her. Mary Lou Mumm "
In loving memory of
Wilma Jean Struss
June 28, 1932 - May 10, 2025
Wilma "Willie" Jean (née Hagemeyer) Struss, 92, of Ames, died May 10, 2025, at Northcrest Community. Willie's family will have a private burial service. Willie lived a long and full life full of laughter, love, travel, gardens, family and an endless curiosity about the world around her.
Family and friends of Willie are invited to join in an informal celebration of life to be held at Northcrest Grand Room on June 2, 2025 from 2-4:00 p.m.
Willie was born June 28, 1932, in Pauline, Nebraska to Harm and Alta Hagemeyer. She was raised on a farm with her three siblings in a true depression era rural upbringing. Willie attended a tiny country school - even riding a cow to get to grade school. When she was not yet 16 years old, she left home to pursue a high school education in Hastings, NE, earning her wages by washing dishes and other work and sharing an apartment with other young women pursuing education. Willie attended Hastings Teacher's College, working to earn her own tuition, room and board while attaining a two-year teaching degree. She taught briefly at a rural school in northern Nebraska, then returned to Hastings to work at a manufacturing plant.
She was introduced to the love of her life, Roland George ("Rollie") Struss by Rollie's brother Harold shortly after Rollie returned from Army service in Korea. Willie and Rollie were wed September 2, 1956, launching a 56-year marriage that was filled with hard work, laughter, travel, and enduring love. Their marriage was a beacon of light and an example of a loving partnership to all who knew them.
Willie returned to college to complete her bachelor's degree after her last child flew the nest, graduating with honors in political science - with her children and several grandchildren cheering her on at graduation. Willie loved to talk politics and enjoyed learning other perspectives on issues close to her heart. Willie was a member of Memorial Lutheran Church and was involved in many social activities, including Faculty Women's Club, the Ames Historical Society, and several birthday clubs.
Willie was able to turn her hand to most anything. At her urging, she and Rollie bought a small farm north of Ames, where - over the years - they raised livestock, farmed crops and grew legendary gardens. Willie's flower gardens were a sight to behold, and she and Rollie, who loved working in his vegetable garden, enjoyed the farm right up until they sold it in 2012 and moved into Ames. After Rollie's passing that year, Willie resumed her amazing flower gardening efforts, turning her back yard into a vision of color and beauty.
Willie loved to travel - - she and Rollie enjoyed trips to many parts of this beautiful country and abroad, including trips to Europe, Australia, China and more. Willie traveled with some of her progeny to England and out-walked just about everyone on the tours, to the amazement (and glee!) of the tour guides. Willie had an insatiable drive to see and experience the world, to learn about the various peoples and traditions she encountered and enjoyed expanding her horizons both in travel and by participating in the ISU College for Seniors, in which she and Rollie were active for many years.
Willie was a devoted wife, an amazing mother, grandmother, great-grandmother and friend to many. It can truly be said that to meet Willie was to meet a friend, someone who really enjoyed learning about others' experiences and perspectives. Willie had a limitless curiosity and genuine interest in everyone she met. She took great joy in every adventure she undertook.
Willie is survived by her children Sue Dove of Bethlehem, Georgia, Doug (Carol) Struss of Cedar Rapids, Iowa, Nancy (Bert) Bailey of Surprise, Arizona, and Colleen Struss of Alexandria, Virginia, seven grandchildren and two great-grandchildren. She was preceded in death by her husband, Rollie, her parents, Harm and Alta Hagemeyer, her brothers Jim and Don and her sister Ruth.
In lieu of flowers and other customary remembrances, the family requests memorials be directed to the Iowa Food Bank or Habitat for Humanity of Iowa, and sent to the attention of Willie's family, c/o Grandon Funeral and Cremation Care, 414 Lincoln Way, Ames, Iowa, 50010.