William R. Striepe, 91 of Waverly, Iowa, passed away on Wednesday, January 28, 2026, at the Bartels Lutheran Retirement Community.
Bill was born on January 21, 1935, in Madison, Minnesota, the eldest son of William G. and Lorraine B. (Kienitz) Striepe. Bill was baptized in February of 1935 in Marrieta, Minnesota and confirmed in 1948 at St. John’s Lutheran Church, rural Boyden, Iowa. Bill graduated from Holstein High School in 1953. He furthered his education at Wartburg College, graduating in 1957 and in 1959 he received his master’s degree in social work from the University of Iowa.
Bill was united in marriage to Janet Lee Welsch on June 14, 1959, at Clarion Lutheran Church, La Moille, Illinois. Bill and Jan shared a wonderful marriage of 66 years, filled with love, faith, and unwavering devotion to one another.
Bill dedicated his professional life to serving others through his work in social services, including meaningful roles at both Bremwood and Cedar Valley Mental Health. Colleagues, patients and community members alike remember him as a steady, empathetic presence who brought kindness and integrity to every interaction.
Bill served the Waverly community, St. Paul’s Lutheran Church, and Wartburg College with heartfelt dedication, exemplifying a life of true servant leadership. He generously gave his time and talents on the Waverly Parks and Rec Board, the Waverly City Council, and the Waverly City Golf Commission, always seeking to strengthen the community he loved. His commitment to faith and service was further reflected in his three terms as president of the congregation at St. Paul’s Lutheran Church and his meaningful work on the board at Bremwood. Through every role, Bill led with humility, purpose, and a deep belief in supporting the institutions and people who mattered most to him.
Since graduating, Bill remained a devoted supporter of his alma mater, Wartburg College, proudly receiving the Wartburg Medal in 2009. He enjoyed sports, fishing, and grilling, but it was golf that connected him to a treasured circle of lifelong friends in Waverly, with whom he formed the Waverly Wide Open golfing group. Above all, Bill’s greatest joy was his family. He treasured every moment spent with his family, finding his greatest happiness in simply being together
Bill is survived by his wife, Jan Striepe of Waverly; a son, Mark (Karin) Striepe of Green Valley, Arizona; two daughters, Meg (Greg Hauck) Striepe of Sudbury, Massachusetts, and Beth (Ed) Stanley of Rochester, Minnesota; five grandchildren, Kate Striepe, Emma and Evan Hauck and Jack and Sam Stanley; a sister, Lois (Edward) Niewohner of Tucson, Arizona and a brother, Jim Striepe of Athens, Georgia.
Bill was preceded in death by his parents, a brother, Paul Striepe and a sister-in-law, Janice Striepe.
All obituary information has been taken from the funeral home, newspaper or other online resource.
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