Susan “Sue” Stroka
Susan “Sue” (Adams) Stroka, 74, of Western Springs, entered eternal life August 22. She will be forever remembered by her loving husband of 54 years, Albert “Bud” Stroka, and their eight children: Donna (Jack) Brunner, Michael (Nancy), James (Yvonne), Paul (Elizabeth), Thomas (Maureen), Martin, Mary (Michael) Payne, and Maureen. She will also be remembered by her 18 grandchildren along with her brother Thomas and sisters Gloria and Patricia.
Sue was born in Chicago and attended Holy Ghost School in Wood Dale, IL, and Immaculate Conception Catholic Prep in Elmhurst, IL. She then studied at DePaul University in Chicago, where she met Bud.
Bud and Sue got married in 1966 at Holy Ghost Church, a Catholic Church near Sue’s childhood home in Wood Dale. After briefly living in Chicago, the couple settled in Western Springs, where they lived together for nearly 45 years as they raised their children.
Sue was committed to service, especially in her local community of Western Springs. She volunteered for many years in youth catechesis at St. John of the Cross Parish and embraced leadership as a member of the church’s building and baptism committees and as president of the PTO at McClure Junior High. Always fond of her children and their peers, she coached her children’s sports teams and a Western Springs Recreation softball clinic for several years. She touched many hearts over her years of service to the community.
After raising her children, she graduated with a BA in pastoral ministry and theology from Dominican University in River Forest. Sue actively engaged in making the world a better place, she was named the Outstanding Senior in Theology. She spread the love of Christ in her work as the assistant director of university ministry at the University of Saint Francis in Joliet and a theology teacher at Notre Dame College Prep.
Sue was an advocate for protecting human life, especially in the womb, and was compassionate and dedicated in her pro-life work. She was a director at Women’s Choice Services and the president of Illinois Citizens for Life, before coordinating its merger into Illinois Right to Life.
Sue was predeceased by her loving parents, Edward Charles and Margaret Olive Adams, and her sister Mary Frances.
She is now reunited with her unborn children Nicholas, Joy, and Andrew for eternity with our Lord.
Services will be held privately.
Memorial donations may be made in her name to Illinois Right to Life (https://illinoisrighttolife.org or mail to P.O. Box 511 Chicago, IL 60690, Ph. 312-422-9300) or to Endow (6160 S Syracuse Way, Suite 150, Greenwood Village, CO, 80111, (http://www.endowgroups.org).
Arrangements entrusted to Hallowell & James Funeral Home, Countryside. Info: 708-352-6500
She was the premier advocate for children, both born and unborn. Her wonderful family is an example of how to raise children with love. Bud and Sue should be very proud of their 54 years of marriage. Their children were their treasure.
She is now in the hands of God.
Bud and children,
We grieve with you, but rejoice that Sue is at peace with her Heavenly Father. She was such a Godly woman! She will be much missed.
Don & Ruth Whittaker
Mrs. Stroka lived a life of extraordinary love and service. Her example is inspiring. I am so sorry for her family’s loss. My prayers are with you all at this time.
Bud and family
I was so shocked and so very sorry to hear about Sue. She was indeed a very extraordinary person and so dedicated to the good of everyone. May God’s grace be with all of you in this great loss.
Virginia Gannon
Our sincere sympathies are offered to Bud and the entire family. Our thoughts and prayers are with and for you during this time. Lovingly, Martin and Pat Benigni
Sue was a spiritual friend and mentor. Her steadfast, abiding faith was so inspiring to me. Because she was so humble you never knew how gently she was sharing her passion for doing good for others. I will truly miss her. My prayers for the last two years for her health will now be petitions that God will keep you, her family, at peace and ease you sorrow. Please accept my heartfelt condolences at your loss. May God “hold you in the palm of His hand”.
Bud my sincerest condolences to you and your family.
Dear Stroka Family,
With deep sorrow, we mourn with you; but with profound joy, we rejoice in her life well-lived!!! To consider the myriad of ways in which she gave the gift of herself transforms all human mourning into supernatural showers of joy!!!
May she rest in peace!
The Holy Mass was offered on account of Tom Stroka’s request the day of her passing, the Queenship of Mary, August 22, 2020!
Rev. Mark S. Mannion
I got to know Sue when her son Paul played on my traveling soccer team and she was one of our biggest supporters and brought the best treats for after the games. My thoughts and prayers are sent to the entire family. RIP Sue as you earned it!
To all the Stroka family, we send our condolences. Sue was an absolutely beautiful person. We had some interesting conversations during the Prolife chains on Ogden Ave as well as on the Prolife Committee. God bless her and her beautiful family and may she use her influence to continue the “Right to Life.”
My sincere condolences to Bud and your family.
Mary Ellen and I are beyond saddened to learn of the passing of Sue whose life showed great devotion to her loving husband, to all her wonderful children and grandchildren who she was so proud of, and most certainly, to God Almighty who now holds her in his arms.
We will all miss her dearly for the so many reasons she gave us to do so during her lifetime. She never stopped caring for others whether she knew them for decades or just awhile. To meet and interact with her was to know she could be counted on to be a true friend. But even more than that, she struck our hearts deeply for her tireless advocacy for the unborn. For just that alone, we shall honor her legacy.
A. J. Parrino